The Carpathians have the greatest biodiversity in Europe. In the Polish part, there are almost 2,000 species of indigenous plants, among which live bears, aurochs, deer, wild cats, lynxes, badgers and a whole host of beetles and butterflies... International Biodiversity Day is an ideal moment to remind us of this, but not only. The Committee on Foreign Affairs is engaged in a debate on the future of Europe; a discussion on the protection of biodiversity, on the Green Deal, on the wise use of natural resources. We are working on strengthening cooperation in the Carpathians and on a strategy which, following the example of the Alpine or Baltic regions, will help to protect nature and develop this wonderful region.

The opinion of the European Committee of the Regions on the macro-regional strategy for the Carpathian region emphasises, among other things, that the Carpathians cover an area of 190 000 km2 , making them the second largest mountain area on the European continent after the Alps. The unique resources of the Carpathians, such as natural wealth, unique multicultural heritage, human resources and common identity of mountain communities were pointed out. It was emphasized that the Carpathians are an area of exceptional importance due to the high value of biodiversity and the state of preservation of the natural environment, which is unique in Europe. It is a European heritage resource, which should be protected for future generations, and that means an obligation to look for responsible ways of economic development allowing to preserve and protect that heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate activities of entities at all levels of management in this respect, taking into account transboundary nature of the environmental problem. The potential of centuries-old neighbourhood of the societies of the Carpathian regions and the rich culture of the mountain regions, which is the result of the cross-fertilisation of Eastern and Western influences, common historical experiences as well as pastoral traditions, was also recognised.