Protecting the environment contributes to prosperity, particularly in tourist countries like Croatia, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said in Vienna on Tuesday.

“The pandemic has taught us the importance of multilateralism. We have to step up our global efforts in the fight against climate change and stimulate green transition and economic growth,” Jandrokovic said at the Fifth World Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Speakers of Parliament.

“Protecting the environment contributes to prosperity, particularly in countries whose economy depends on tourism, like Croatia,” he said.

Jandrokovic believes that “cooperation, changing the approach, and finding a balance between economic growth and the quality of life, are key to creating a sustainable future.”

Croatia’s National Development Strategy for the period until 2030 emphasizes just that – a sustainable economy, green and digital transition and the well-being of citizens, he said.

“This isn’t just about economic growth, but, more importantly, about prosperity, well-being, balance between private and business life, and the quality of life. It also has to do with access to health and welfare services, education, etc,” he added.

Speaking about the Covid-19 pandemic, Jandrokovic said that “it will have a lasting impact on the world as we know it, causing changes to our way of living, education, communication, etc.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is an international organization bringing together 179 national parliaments.

During the conference, Jandrokovic is expected to meet with Austria’s Parliament Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka on Tuesday, while on Wednesday he will meet with representatives of the Croat community in Austria.