Burgas has hosted the opening of the 67th meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). Parliament speaker Mihaela Dotsova opened the forum, the parliament's press office said. The meeting's theme is "Climate change in BSEC member states – economic aspects."
Black Sea countries face the same threats and will get further by working together, sharing experience and swapping good practices, Dotsova told lawmakers from member states.
Extreme heat, fires, floods and water shortages are becoming more frequent, she said, hitting people, infrastructure and the economy. Every country needs to be ready to respond quickly when disaster strikes, she said, but should also act early to cut the damage before it happens.
Money spent on prevention cuts economic losses, protects infrastructure and helps countries cope better, Dotsova said.
Security in the region, including on the environment, will help every country's economy, the speaker said. Decisions should be based on science, she added — both on what causes extreme weather and on how to deal with it. Scientific analysis and new approaches will make policymakers' decisions smarter, more objective and better timed, she said.
Part of the job, she said, is making sure people know the risks, how to act in a disaster, and what they can do themselves to keep the damage down.
"I believe we must not let extreme weather become an excuse for human behaviour," Dotsova said. "Only an informed public can get us lasting results," she added.
Dotsova also called for stronger institutions and for countries to share technology with each other. Adapting to climate change and cutting the damage from it should not be paid for by public budgets alone, she said. Instead, private capital should be brought in through partnerships, and countries should tap international funding. Governments should also make it easier for companies to bring in new solutions, she said.
Bulgaria took over the PABSEC presidency in November 2025 at the organisation's 66th General Assembly, held in Sofia.