The Bulgarian Academy of Science (BAS) and the Ministry of Environment and Water are organizing a scientific conference on "Climate Risks in the Black Sea Region" on 25 and 26 July 2024 at the central building of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia. Leading scientists, experts and policy makers will discuss critical issues related to climate change and its impact on the Black Sea region.

The conference is part of the satellite programme under the patronage of Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Water on the occasion of Bulgaria hosting the 61st session of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC-61, that will bring together over 500 delegates from 150 countries to discuss scientific developments and research from 27 July to 2 August. The findings and decisions from the IPCC sessions serve as the basis for climate policy decisions around the world.

The BAS and the Ministry of Environment and Water conference will be opened by the President of the BAS acad. Julian Revalski, the Minister of Environment and Water Petar Dimitrov, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Culture, Education, Science and Cultural Diversity of the Sofia Municipal Council Miroslav Borshosh. An introductory address will be given by the IPCC Chair Sir Jim Skea.

The highlights from the conference include:

Climatic characteristics and changes in the Black Sea region: leading Bulgarian scientists such as Lilia Bocheva, Kristina Malcheva, and Hristo Chervenkov from NIMH will present current climate variations and future trends in Bulgaria. The general climatic characteristics of the Black Sea coast and climate projections for the 21st century will be discussed.

Impact of climate change on the Black Sea: Prof. Emil Stanev from Sofia University will present a paper on the formation of water masses in the Black Sea and climate trends. Other scientific papers will look at the variability of the cold intermediate layer of the Black Sea.

Dimensions of climate change in the Black Sea: strong storms in the Western Black Sea in recent years will be discussed in a paper by Vasko Galabov from NIMH. Elisaveta Peneva will discuss water freezing and winters. The impact on the wave regime and the potential risks for tourism development will be the topic of the report by Petar Nozarov.

Nikolay Valchev, Ekaterina Bachvarova, Elisaveta Peneva and Lilia Bocheva will participate in a panel discussion on the Black Sea as a model for studying future climate risks for the world ocean and regional seas.

Modern climate change data collection methods: Vladimir Ivanov will talk about regional climate simulations. Hristo Nikolov will discuss the use of SAR data for monitoring geographic and climate risks. Digital twins and the application of geo-information technology solutions in mapping, modelling, and assessment of climate-related natural risks and hazards will be discussed.

On the second day, discussions will include topics such as the Black Sea and the World Ocean - sea level rise, salinity change, and other changes. Climate change and the response of the Black Sea ecosystem with a focus on fish, molluscs, and aquaculture. The Black Sea and rivers, with emphasis on hydrological processes in the Bulgarian part of the Black Sea basin. The coastal waters of the Black Sea will also be addressed with a focus on climate change impacts, risks and adaptation.

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion on policy strategies related to nature restoration as a means of adaptation to climate change. The discussion will be moderated by former Minister of Environment and Water in the most recent regular government Julian Popov.

At the end of the first day of the conference, on 25 July, the Ministry of Environment, the Bulgarian Academy of Science, and Sofia Municipality will host a cocktail reception for the participants, as well as for politicians, public figures, and representatives of Bulgarian municipalities, which will take place at the University Botanical Garden, Sofia, Bulgaria. "The event will be held at the Bulgarian Botanical Garden, 49 Moskovska Street, at 19:00 with the support of Veolia Bulgaria.

All events from the satellite programme to the 61st IPCC Session are supported by Sofia Municipality, Veolia Bulgaria, KBC Global Services, and SAP Bulgaria.