Slovenia has excellent environmental, social and economic capital which it can leverage to launch a new development cycle, Prime Minister Miro Cerar told a conference that was the main Slovenian event held as part of the European Week of Sustainable Development.

He described sustainable development as the only path "if we are to be responsible to ourselves and to future generations." But Cerar noted that this required a change in mindset.

"Despite pledges in principle we still often hear unilateral warnings that protection of the environment is an obstacle to economic development. Such positions lead to continued destruction of natural capital."

Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said that the economy and environment ministries were drawing up a framework programme that will outline Slovenia's transition to a green economy.

He said the challenge was to implement sustainable concepts in the entire value chain and life cycle of products and services, as well as how to optimise business processes.

According to him, sustainable growth would make companies more resilient to market pressure, and it will provide stable jobs, which will have a positive long-term impact on growth and prosperity.

Irena Majcen, the minister of the environment and spatial planning, said the green economy programme would pursue an inclusive model that takes into account economic, environmental, social and cultural dimensions of development.

The activities leading to the programme will feature municipalities, NGOs and businesses, she said.

The officials were speaking at a panel on sustainable development organised as part of the European Week of Sustainable Development, an event that also featured businesses and NGOs.

The participants debated examples of best practice and activities tu support sustainable policies.