The South-East European Platform to Beat Pollution (SEEPP), established in 2019 with support from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, acts as a central regional mechanism for advancing commitments toward a pollution-free planet. The platform translates global initiatives, such as the UNEA-3 Ministerial Declaration Towards a Pollution-Free Planet, into regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building efforts that address pollution challenges in South-East Europe.
Soil pollution is a pressing environmental and public health concern in the Western Balkans. National data indicate over 2,700 potentially contaminated sites, of which 118 have been confirmed as polluted, primarily due to historical mining and industrial activities, with additional contributions from agricultural practices. Contaminated areas include industrial zones, landfills, military sites, and agricultural lands affected by pesticides, heavy metals, sewage sludge, plastics, and emerging pollutants. In many cases, the full extent of contamination is unknown, creating obstacles for informed land management, food safety, and sustainable development planning.
The adoption of the EU Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive (Directive 2025/2360) represents a major milestone for soil health management. This Directive introduces a harmonized EU-wide framework for assessing and monitoring soil conditions, with the long-term goal of achieving healthy soils by 2050. It enhances knowledge on soil functions and ecosystem services and promotes the integration of soil considerations into policies on agriculture, biodiversity, forestry, and climate action. The Directive was formally adopted by the European Union on 12 November 2025 and published in the Official Journal on 26 November 2025. EU Member States are required to transpose the rules into national law by 17 December 2028.
For Western Balkans economies pursuing EU integration, alignment with the new EU soil framework presents both challenges and opportunities. It provides a pathway to strengthen governance, access technical assistance, and attract investment in sustainable land management. UNEP, supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and in collaboration with UNDP and regional partners, is assisting countries such as Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing legal, institutional, and technical capacities for soil monitoring and management. These efforts aim to support evidence-based decision-making and promote long-term soil sustainability in the region.
