(23.5.2012)
Blue Flag first for Serbia on programme's 25th anniversary !
For the 25th anniversary of the Blue Flag programme, the first site in Serbia was awarded the Blue Flag, while pilot sites in Israel were approved to join the programme.
A total of 3098 beaches and 646 marinas in 36 countries were awarded the Blue Flag, a programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), when the International Blue Flag Jury met on 27 April to review the northern hemisphere: Canada, Europe, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Malcolm Powell, Chair of the International Blue Flag Jury, said: “On its 25th anniversary, Blue Flag is proud to look back on years of quality, safety and responsibility. Its growth is a sign that this programme still has a bright future and we look forward to many more positive years!”
Mr Powell, a member of the FEE Executive Board, added: “To further its innovation, Blue Flag is launching its worldwide Blue Flag phone application for Androids and i-phones on 5 June along with the announcement of this year’s international awards on www.blueflag.org
The 25th anniversary of the Blue Flag will be celebrated in various countries and a special event is organised before the FEE General Assembly in Ireland, Dublin, hosted by An Taisce on 7 June on The Velvet Strand in Portmarnock Co.
Everyone is invited to follow Blue Flag’s facebook page, as the new Blue Flag tee-shirt and other goodies will be given away throughout this 25th anniversary year!
Originally a French idea, the Blue Flag programme became an international award in 1987 and has since spread across the world, expanding from one to 46 countries and reaching New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Brazil. From 1 June there will be a total of 3849 sites around the world, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the international Blue Flag programme.
Each year, national Blue Flag juries assess all Blue Flag candidates to ensure they meet all of the criteria for beaches and marinas at the national and international level. Those that do are then forwarded to the International Jury, who focuses on set criteria that varies from year to year, before giving a final verdict.
The next International Blue Flag Jury will be in September 2011, to evaluate beaches and marinas from South Africa, the countries of the Caribbean, Brazil and New Zealand.
The International Blue Flag Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), the European Environment Agency (EEA), European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an Environmental Education expert, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and FEE.
The Blue Flag also greatly appreciates the support of its sponsors: Corona Extra, Shipmate, BeachTech and Kvorning group.
