According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dd. January 18, 2012 № 25-p "On Approving the List of Exhibitions and Fairs Held in Ukraine in 2012, Assigned with the Status of International and National Ones" Donetsk hosted the Second National Environmental Forum "The Ecology of Industrial Region” under the motto “Uniting for Life” within May, 23 – 24. The event was organized by joint efforts of Donetsk Regional State Administration, Donetsk Regional Council and the State Administration of Environmental Protection in Donetsk region.

The Forum was aimed at strengthening of local authorities’, science, education, business and civil society partnership to improve the environment, creating environmental and economic conditions for the balanced (sustainable) development of the region, provision of favorable conditions for introduction of modern technologies in the field of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, promotion of international scientific and industrial cooperation in the sphere of energy and resources conservation, biological and landscape diversity conservation, expanding the territory of nature reserve fund in Donetsk region, environmental education, supporting the development of social and environmental movements.

Bjorn Borgaas, a representative of TEKNA – The Norwegian Society of Chartered Engineers and Scientific Professionals, who directly coordinates the process of the “Cleaner Production and Energy Efficiency" program dissemination in Ukraine, visited Donetsk at the invitation of the Kherson Chamber of Commerce and Industry to participate in the Forum. 

Mr. Borgaas devoted his speech in the plenary part of the scientific and practical conference "Investing in Ecology – a guarantee of area security" to the generalization of practical experience of implementation of energy-efficient eco-oriented practices in the Norwegian industrial sector and TEKNA experience in Ukraine. The key issue of his presentation was if the “Cleaner Production” program is necessary for Ukraine. Yes, - he summarizes. Moreover, it is not just necessary, it is needful, because according to Mr. Borgaas, nowadays Ukraine spends more than 0,3 tones oil equivalent per 1000$ GDP.  To put this in perspective, Norway and other Western European countries spend less than half that amount. There is a big room for improvement!

To learn how environmental and energy consumption problems are solved in the technologically intense Donetsk region, TEKNA representative took part in the practical section “Industrial Ecology” and visited the exhibition “Ecology – 2012”.

Environmental problems of our country which have been neglected for many years due to other urgent issues are now attracting an increasing attention. Though their proper consideration may require reconsidering the relevant legislation, reforming the state control system, etc. Therefore, holding events such as the annual International Environmental Forum "Environment for Ukraine" held in Kiev and the National Environmental Forum "The Ecology of Industrial Region" creates a platform for development of interregional and international cooperation in the field of industrial safety and ecology, for constructive dialogue between the government, the science, the business and the public. Indeed, as Mr. Anjey Yanushevskyi, Coordinator of Ecological Programs of the European Commission to Ukraine mentioned during his opening speech at the “Environment for Ukraine” Forum, a socially and ecologically directed economy and a developed civil society make the basic concepts of balanced development and simultaneously are the indicators of a modern democratic state, Ukraine has to be.