On 29 February the Hungarian Embassy in London organized a Climate Change Workshop entitled: Finishing the Copenhagen business – Why the involvement of Central and Eastern Europe is crucial.

Government, diplomatic and private sectors were all represented. The Conference was occasioned by the topical importance of the subject, with special attention being paid to regional solutions to the problem. In this the EU and its Central and Eastern regions have an important role to play. The British and Hungarian speakers expressed the view that a positive scenario must be worked out, with the active participation of the EU, to meet the future challenges posed by climate change and the energy crisis. The widest possible circle of interested parties must be included and flexible solutions found which can take into account new problems as they arise (questions relating to human rights for example). The following were among those who gave presentations: Andrew Mitchell, Director and founder of the Global Canopy Programme, Marta Szigeti Bonifert, Executive Director Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe, situated in Szentendre Hungary, Brigitta Schmognerova, Vice President European Bank of Reconstruction and Development