Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono will tomorrow be launching a public consultation process regarding the Eco-Gozo strategy.
Stemming from the government’s “Vision 2015 for the Maltese Islands”, the vision aims to transform Gozo and Gozitan society into a sustainable reality comprising environmental, social and economic issues.
The government is banking on extensive involvement in the Eco-Gozo initiative of civil society, private enterprise and the public, and is actively sounding both public and private organisations on their possible involvement in the Eco-Gozo strategy.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has often referred to this electoral pledge as the most exciting in the whole electoral programme. In the last Budget speech he had declared that “Gozo is also an essential element of Vision 2015. We have full confidence in a Gozo possessing quality human resources, with a natural environment, landscapes and cultural heritage which are second to none, a distinct tourist destination, a community which offers social and medical services of the highest quality, a society where the person and the quality of life are at the core of all development. We believe in a Gozo that everyday transforms itself from a region with a disadvantage to an island with unique potential and opportunities”.
The government’s electoral programme proposed specific initiatives in order to achieve this aim, including the generation of energy through alternative sources, organic agriculture, promotion of eco-tourism and agro-tourism, management of water and other natural resources, protection against soil erosion, afforestation, research and consultation services in agricultural matters as well as the start of a project which develops a Gozitan village into a model of sustainable development.
The consultation process with the public is intended to gain as much feedback as possible from the public to help the government define the strategy which needs to be adopted to reach the aims outlined in the electoral programme and the government’s Vision 2015.