• During the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Deputy Minister Krzysztof Bolesta presented Poland’s position on the international arena and held a series of key bilateral meetings, among others, with ministers from the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland, South Korea and Germany.
• The energy transition and a focus on domestic energy production are crucial for Poland’s independence, protecting us against price shocks and costly import of fossil fuel worth over PLN 100 billion per year.
• The Ministry of Climate and Environment, jointly with the Ministry of National Defence implements the Green Shield East programme by restoring wetlands and forests along the eastern and northern borders linking nature conservation with the construction of the natural defence barrier of the country, which has attracted considerable interest at the UN.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of the biggest energy crisis since the Second World War and growing geopolitical tensions.

In this context, Minister Bolesta emphasised that the dependence on fossil fuel imports is a problem undermining the resilience and security of the state. Only last year, the cost of fuel imports to Poland exceeded PLN 100 billion. The money that could have been invested in Poland. Unfortunately, those huge sums spent on imported oil and gas do not protect against price shocks.

Energy generated in the country today means energy and fiscal independence. It translates into investment and jobs. It is also an important element of the state security

- Deputy Minister Krzysztof Bolesta emphasised in his speech.

The Minister also indicated the potential of environmental solutions in building the physical security of the state, referring to the example of the Green Shield East. The restoration of wetlands, forests and other aquatic ecosystems along eastern and northern borders of Poland, carried out by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence, is creating a natural defence barrier using solutions based on natural resources. This unique initiative combining defence, environmental and climate objectives, attracted huge interest during the Minister’s meetings in New York.

In addition to multilateral discussions, Deputy Minister Krzysztof Bolesta also held bilateral meetings, among others, with ministers from the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland, South Korea and Germany.