For Estonia, this was the first time that such a large number of contaminated land experts and policymakers from across Europe gathered here to exchange ideas and experiences. This is important for us because it helps identify practical and effective solutions for the remediation of contaminated sites, including reducing environmental and health risks at legacy pollution sites dating back to the Soviet era, where sufficient funding and viable solutions have often been lacking.

The meeting brought together experts and public officials from more than 15 European countries, including Spain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hungary, Italy, and Estonia.

Discussions focused on the remediation of contaminated sites, the reduction of environmental risks, the restoration of mining areas, and the protection of groundwater and aquatic environments. Estonian experiences and approaches were presented by experts from the Ministry of Climate, the Geological Survey of Estonia, and the Estonian Environmental Research Centre.

International exchange of experience helps bring new knowledge and solutions to Estonia, enabling us to make our environment safer and give previously unused or problematic areas a new opportunity for the future.