anniversary

The world-famous Rubik Cube’s inventor celebrates his 75th birthday – VIDEO

Rubik's Cube

The Hungarian inventor gained international success with his brilliant brainchild, the world-famous Rubik’s Cube. Besides several acknowledgements, in 2014 he was awarded by honorary citizenship of Budapest.

The engineer-inventor was born on July 13, 1944, in Budapest. His father was an aircraft designer, thanks to whom Ernő Rubik inherited an inventive spirit that could be improved during his studies. In 1967, he graduated as an architect at Budapest University of Technology, that was followed by studying interior design at the Academy of Applied Arts from 1971. Then, he worked as an architect-designer and taught at the College of Applied Arts (recently called Moholy-Nagy University of Art) between 1970 and 1988.

In 1974, he designed his invention for teaching purposes – illustrating spatial movements and engineering modelling.

Image: www.facebook.com/kentwinchill/

In an interview, he described how the idea of the “Magic Cube” was born – while teaching at the college; he was wondering how he could demonstrate 3D movement for students. The idea of the cube’s rotation mechanism was born by observing how water flew between the rocks of the River Danube – described by the Hungarian news portal szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu.

It turned out that the illustrational tool was an enjoyable game as well.

According to legends, Rubik’s Cube prototype was assembled by the Hungarian inventor after experimenting with wood, rubber and paper clips at his mother’s apartment. After some further developments, it reached its final version.

 

Rubik's Cube Hungarian invention

Initially, the Magic Cube did not have colours. In order to differentiate the units, he chose the primary colours, thanks to which its rotation became visible and tangible. He also admitted that it took him weeks to solve the riddle of the cube.

In 1975, by Ernő Rubik officially presented his invention which obtained a patent on October 28, 1976, under the name of “Three-dimensional puzzle game”. Soon, the cube became an amazing success among the players.

Rubik's Cube Rubik Ernő

Rubik’s Cube became the most popular game in the world; more than 500 million units have already been sold around the world.

International acknowledgements:

  • In 2014, for the inventor’s 70th birthday, an impressive exhibition was organised by the cooperation of Google in Jersey City.
  • At the exhibition “Beyond Rubik’s Cube” in Liberty Science Center – near to New York Statue of Liberty – various scientific fields are interactively presented to the audience. The exhibition – that was constructed from five million dollars shows how the cube affected arts and engineering sciences.
  • In 2014, a gigantic magic cube was floated down on the Hudson River, saluting the brilliant invention of Ernő Rubik.
  • Since 1987, Ernő Rubik is an Honorary Professor; 1990-1996 President of the Hungarian Academy of Engineering; 1996 – Honorary Chairman.

The following prizes have awarded his work:

  • 1983 – Hungarian State Prize for demonstrating and teaching 3D structures and for the various solutions that inspired scientific researches in several ways;
  • 1995 – Dénes Gabor Prize from the Novofer Foundation as an acknowledgement of achievements in the field of innovation;
  • 2007 – Kossuth Prize the most prestigious cultural award in Hungary;
  • 2009 – EU Ambassador of the Year of Creativity and Innovation;
  • 2010 – Prima Primissima Prize;
  • 2012 – My Country Awards;
  • 2014 – Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen (The highest medal awarded by Hungary);
  • 2014 – Honorary Citizen of Budapest.

Outrage in Slovenia over Hungarian government’s controversial post

Hungary Trianon map

The Slovenian Foreign Office has issued a statement in which they condemn a Twitter post made by the Hungarian government’s official Twitter account. 

Hvg reports that feud between Hungary and Slovenia has ignited after the Hungarian government’s official Twitter account shared a picture in reference to the Trianon treaty 99 years ago. As it is known publicly, the treaty ended Hungary’s involvement in World War I and resulted in an enormous loss for the country, both in population and territory. June 4th marked the 99th anniversary of the event.

The Slovenian Foreign office has labelled the picture “offensive” and released a post in which they cited the European Union’s values of cooperation and good-neighbourly relations: something which they deemed the Hungarian government’s post went against. 

The incident comes after a week of heated diplomacy in the region: a Szekler cemetery commemorating Hungarian, German and Austrian soldiers was attacked and desecrated by Romanian nationalists. Following the incident, the Romanian Ambassador to Hungary refused to show up for an explanation as requested by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: an act that even in hostile times is considered rude and impolite. 

It also foreshadows more diplomatic standoffs and conflicts with neighbours as the 100-year anniversary of Trianon is coming up in 2020. The Hungarian government has already issued the erection of a new memorial, and some political parties are considering making 2020 a “Trianon memorial year”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hilton’s new brand in Budapest

Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre

Budapest is the first Hungarian city where Hilton Garden Inn hotel-chain introduces a new member, named as Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre, opening this June.

Hilton – as the first global hotel company in the world – celebrated its 100th anniversary last Friday, closing the most dynamic year of all times.

As turizmusonline.hu describes, the hotel-chain acted as a pioneer of innovations: it was the first who used air-conditioning in the lobby areas, installed a television in the guest-rooms, used computer reservation system and created piña colada; these were all unprecedented renewals. Hilton group is available in 113 countries, operating more than 5700 hotels. Still, its complex portfolio is getting even more extended.

As Manuela K. Brode, General Manager of Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre said – she feels extremely content that the first Hilton Graden Inn will be opened in Budapest; moreover almost at the same as the company’s 100th anniversary. The new hotel is located in the lively city center of Budapest where guests – besides enjoying the pleasant experience of Hilton Garden Inn – will be able to access the capital’s breathtaking spectacles, cultural and gastronomical treasures, and the exciting nightlife atmosphere.

In the vicinity of the new hotel touristic attractions can be found like Andrássy Avenue, the Hungarian State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament and the Chain Bridge. In the hotel, there are 214 available guest-rooms, one restaurant, one bar, and several convertible banquet halls.

Conference marks 70 years of Chinese-Hungarian diplomatic relations

hungary china relations

China is a key factor in efforts to achieve balance in world politics and economics in the 21st century, Hungary’s House Speaker László Kövér said in a conference marking 70 years of Sino-Hungarian diplomatic relations, which he attended along with Li Zhanshu, his Chinese counterpart.

Kövér noted that Hungary was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, a few days after the latter’s coming into being in 1949. “Much has changed in the world and in our countries since then,” but inter-state relations have remained stable, “determined by mutual respect and a commitment to developing cooperation,” he said.

The house speaker said that a series of events were being held in both countries to appraise the results and review the possibilities in bilateral relations.

Central and eastern Europe, including Hungary, has had “bitter historical experience about the dangers and tragedies caused by upending the balance of East and West, as well as by attempts to introduce a new balance while ignoring the interests of the states and the peoples living here,” Kövér said.

Hungary has a vested interest in a balance which takes into account “the interests of all concerned”, providing the best circumstances to “preserve our thousand-year-old culture and nation,” he said, adding that Hungary is ready to protect its right to “remain who we are”.

China and Hungary have sealed their friendly relations in a strategic partnership agreement in 2017, Kövér noted, adding that China is Hungary’s largest trading partner outside Europe, with a significant share of foreign investments in Hungary.

In the field of culture and education, four Confucius Institutes are operating in Hungary and eleven universities offering Hungarian courses in China. Hungary also boasts the only Chinese bilingual high school in the region, he said.

Li Zhanshu praised the stable bilateral ties based on mutual respect. This year’s anniversary will give new momentum to an already strong economic and cultural cooperation, he said.

The conference was held at Budapest’s National Public Service University.

Opposition DK’s EP candidate: ‘No life’ outside EU

hungary eu anniversary

“It is not true that there is life outside the European Union,” Klára Dobrev, top candidate of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) for the European parliamentary elections, told a May Day celebration of her party on Wednesday. “What is outside is chaos, poverty and ruin.”

Hungary has no other option than to be “an equal member in a strong European community”, she said. Dobrev argued for the creation of a United States of Europe with a uniform minimum wage, family allowance and pension.

Global challenges such as climate change, poverty caused by globalisation, and international terrorism, can only be met through cooperation within Europe, she said.

hungary eu anniversary
Photo: MTI

The politician who is married to DK leader and former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány berated the ruling Fidesz party and its alleged corruption. “The EU would not steal money from the Hungarians through public bids, it would not steal half the Lake Balaton area, it would not seize land from farmers to help oligarchs prosper…” she said.

She said the Baltic states, Czech Republic and Slovakia had overtaken Hungary, while Romania and Bulgaria were poised to adopt the euro in a few years’ time.

Ruling Fidesz said in a statement that the company of “Mrs Gyurcsány” had received “hundreds of millions of forints from Brussels to promote their interests”.

Featured image: MTI

Hungary celebrates 15 years in the European Union – VIDEO

eu flag

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of Hungary’s European Union membership. In honour of the jubilee, Euronews made a short video coverage evaluating Hungary’s history with the EU, while Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attended a meeting of countries that joined the European Union 15 years ago.

Meanwhile, Orbán insisted that central European countries, due to the hard work of their citizens, had tapped the potential of EU membership.

hungary eu anniversary
Photo: MTI

“This is what we want to do in the future too,” Orbán said, adding that Europe and its national and Christian culture must be protected.

“We must choose leaders who don’t allow Europe to become a continent of immigrants,” he said, adding that pro-migration politicians should be voted out.

“This is the task of the next few weeks,” Orbán said.

March 15 – Orbán calls for fight to protect Europe’s Christian culture – PHOTOS

march 15 history commemoration

Europe’s peoples should “see and understand that Europe will have no free life without its Christian culture”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said during a state celebration of the anniversary of Hungary’s 1848 revolution in front of Budapest’s National Museum on Friday.

“Unless we protect our Christian culture we will lose Europe and Europe will no longer belong to Europeans,” Orbán insisted. He added that Christianity was equally important for a free Hungary and warned that “all of us would lose our freedom in a liberal empire”. “Nobody can be free if they are subjects of an empire rather than children of a free nation”.

“Europeans can only be happy if they can decide on their own fate and on the future of their nation”, Orbán added.

march 15 history commemoration
Photo: MTI

The ideal of freedom “is rooted in Christianity because all people and all nations are equal before God,” the prime minister said.

Orbán welcomed Polish participants in the celebrations, and said that “without Poland Hungary would not be free and Europe could not have been re-united”. “When they attack Poland from Brussels, they attack the whole of central Europe, including us, Hungarians”.

“Our message to the empire-builders seeking to extend their shadow over central Europe is that they will always need to consider Hungarian-Polish ties,” he said.

“Each year we renew our oath to God that we will insist on freedom and reject subordination; the nation’s common oath means that each Hungarian will stand by other Hungarians and all Hungarians will stand by Hungary,” Orbán said.

Concerning Europe, the prime minister called for “strong nation states and new, strong leaders” who will “take aid over there rather than bring problems over here”.

“We want a new beginning to stop Europe’s decline and put an end to the nightmare of a united states of Europe,” he said.

For Hungarians “freedom is not a goal but a way to reach our goals”, Orbán said, and argued that “we want simple things, just like in 1848: a homeland of our own, good neighbours, an understanding spouse and loving family, and work, which is meaningful and fruitful,” Orbán said.

“For us freedom is not an abstract ideal but life itself; breathing, circulation and the throbbing of the heart,” he added.

“The years to come will prove that we, Hungarians, are not here just to suffer through life but to give it a meaning,” the prime minister said, concluding his speech by saying that “Hungary first, God above all, go Hungary, go Hungarians.”

Featured image: MTI

March 15 – National flag hoisted by Parliament

march 15 parliament flag

The national flag was hoisted in front of Parliament on Friday morning, marking the start of state celebrations of the anniversary of Hungary’s anti-Habsburg revolution that started on March 15, 1848.

The ceremony was attended by President János Áder, House Speaker László Kövér, representatives of state organisations, diplomats, and several hundred others.

march 15 parliament flag
Photo: MTI

Following the ceremony, participants marched to the National Museum where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to deliver a speech. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will also address the event.

Commemorations of the revolution are also being held nationwide and by ethnic Hungarian communities around the world.

The revolution and freedom fight was part of a series of uprisings in Europe in 1848. On March 15, citizens of Pest gathered in front of the National Museum and demanded independence from Habsburg rule.

Hungary’s first independent government with Count Lajos Batthyány as prime minister approved a reform package called the April laws. Later, the uprising grew into a war of independence, stifled by Austria and Russia in late 1849.

Hungary to commemorate victims of communism

candle lights

Hungarians will hold commemorations across the country in memory of the victims of communism on Monday, the state secretary for international communications and relations told MTI.

Tributes will be paid to those who were executed, imprisoned or ruined by the communist regime and to those whose only crime was that they did not fit into the narrow framework of the idea of class struggle, Zoltán Kovács said.

He called it “unacceptable” that communism nowadays “is welcomed with nostalgic enthusiasm” in western Europe.

“While we, here in the central European region, experienced on our own skins what it was like to live in oppression and fear,” he added.

But today, he said, “we live in freedom and security.” “We have a future we’ve chosen for ourselves, in contrast to dictatorship.”

As part of Monday’s commemorations, Budapest’s House of Terror Museum will be open to visitors all day for history lessons and guided tours, Kovács said.

Commemorators are invited to light candles in memory of the victims of the regime at the Heroes’ Wall next to the museum, he added.

The central commemoration will be addressed by Justice Minister László Trocsányi and Mária Schmidt, director of the House of Terror Museum.

The Hungarian parliament in 2000 declared February 25 a day of remembrance in memory of Béla Kovács, general secretary of the Independent Smallholders’ Party, who was arrested and deported to the Soviet Union on this day in 1947.

Antifascist federation commemorates 1945 ‘liberation’ of Budapest

history commemoration

The 74th anniversary of the “liberation” of Budapest was marked on Wednesday at an event organised by the Hungarian Federation of Resistance Fighters and Antifascists (MEASZ).

MAESZ leader Vilmos Hanti said at the event that fascism was defeated by military means 74 years ago but the ideology of fascism has survived and strengthened in recent years.

All efforts must be made to join forces “to restore democracy and a constitutional state”, he added.

Csaba Horváth, a Socialist city representative, said that “just like in 1945, Budapest needs to be liberated again.”

The victims of the siege of Budapest were commemorated by Socialist MEP Tibor Szanyi and party lawmaker Dezső Hiszékeny.

The WW2 siege of Budapest ended on February 13, 1945.

Featured image: MTI

Centenary of poet Ady’s death marked

Ady centenary

Lawmakers and the heads of Hungarian cultural institutes marked the centenary of Hungarian poet Endre Ady’s death at his tomb in Budapest’s Fiume Street Cemetery on Sunday.

László L Simon, the deputy head of parliament’s committee for cultural affairs, laid a wreath at the tomb and said that “the elementary force of Ady’s poetry is an example for later generations”.

The year 2019 has been declared an Ady memorial year.

The Socialist party held a commemoration at the poet’s statue in Budapest. Party head Bertalan Tóth said that next to his poetry, Ady was also a notable journalist who tackled issues such as corruption or hate-mongering against Jews.

István Hiller, the Socialist deputy house speaker, said that Ady has pointed to the failings of “the Hungarian nation and state” and saw the future in a “European Hungary”.

Other commemorations of the poet, who died on January 27, 1919, included a literary walk guiding participants along the capital’s “Ady memorial sites”, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ memorial evening, exhibitions and TV broadcasts.

Featured image: MTI

Holocaust Remembrance Day marked in Budapest

Holocaust commemoration

Commemorations were held in Budapest on Sunday, to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in 1945.

Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, said in his address at a ceremony held at the Holocaust Memorial Centre that the Hungarian state had “failed to protect its citizens at the time of the Holocaust”.

“There was no collective crime, responsibility lay on the state,” he said.

Referring to political developments in Hungary before WWII, Gulyás said that “Hungarian society was not left untouched by an increasing anti-Semitism, which was manifested by untolerable curbing of the rights of Jews”. “It is a fact that Jews were deported after Hungary’s German occupation, however, all that could not have happened without participation by the Hungarian administration”.

Holocaust commemoration
Photo: MTI

The Hungarian government is “proud that Jews and non-Jews now live side by side in security, among flourishing cultural and religious activities,” Gulyás said.

“Hungary has learnt the lessons of the past and is aware that a shared future must be planned and built together with the Jewish community.”

Israeli Ambassador Yosef Amrani said that the Holocaust is an “incomprehensible, indescribable tragedy, which we must remember”. He added that it is a “moral obligation for us to remind other people of the tragedy that happened to us” so that nobody in the future could become a “target for extermination”.

András Heisler, head of the federation of Hungarian Jewish communities (Mazsihisz) said at another commemoration that the Holocaust is not an “internal affair” for the community, but an issue concerning the whole of society. “Real freedom is if the obligation to remember rests on the whole of society and society jointly counters efforts to falsify history,” he said.

“Remembrance must be universal; Jews and non-Jews, the successors of winning and losing powers must jointly and honestly face the facts,” Heisler said.

Featured image: MTI

Death centenary of Hungarian poet Endre Ady commemorated

Endre Ady Mihály Babits

The death centenary of Hungarian poet and journalist Endre Ady is commemorated with various cultural events in Hungary this weekend.

To honour the anniversary, public Kossuth Radio and public television M5 will broadcast poems by Ady, as well as a commemorative show. The M5 channel has called a special competition, seeking viewers’ contributions presenting their personal impressions of Ady’s poetry in a piece of written work, photo or video.

The Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA) will hold a memorial evening on Sunday and the Petőfi Museum of Literature (PIM) has organised an exhibition, a concert as well as other events.

On Saturday afternoon, a literary walk will be held, starting from the museum and guiding participants along the capital’s “Ady memorial sites” such as cafes, editorial offices and his homes.

A commemoration will also be held at the poet’s tomb, organised by the National Heritage Institute and the PIM.

Ady died on January 27, 1919.

Featured image: Wiki Commons By Székely Aladár – NyugatInfoPic,

Budapest ghetto liberation anniversary marked in Dohány Street Synagogue

liberation ghetto history

A commemoration was held in Budapest’s Dohány Street Synagogue on Friday to mark the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the city’s ghetto.

Addressing the ceremony, Szabolcs Takács, state secretary at the PM’s Office, called the Holocaust “one of the heaviest burdens in the history of our nation, which we can never forget”.

Remembering the Holocaust is a “joint responsibility for us”, the state secretary said.

The Hungarian government will not tolerate hatred or any threat that would jeopardise “the unity and peace of the nation or Europe’s Jewish-Christian culture”, Takács said, noting that the government has declared “zero tolerance” for anti-Semitism.

He said Hungary’s Jewish community was Europe’s largest, and noted that the synagogue hosting the commemoration is the world’s second largest. “Jewish life is flourishing in Hungary,” he said, adding that Jewish festivals are organised on a regular basis and the government has contributed large funds to the renovation of synagogues and old Jewish cemeteries.

liberation ghetto history
Photo: MTI

Tamás Ács, the head of Budapest’s Jewish community (BZSH), said that remembrance was an obligation for the descendants of survivors as well as to remind others of the inhumanity of the Holocaust and of the responsibility of perpetrators.

“All well-wishing Hungarians are expected to do the same, including historians, some of whom are likely to re-write or change documented facts,” he added.

The central ghetto of Budapest was established in an area between Dohány and Király Streets based on a decree by the interior minister on November 29, 1944. Between 70,000-80,000 Jews were crammed into 4,500 flats, which had been inhabited by 12,000 tenants before.

The ghetto was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 18, 1945.

Featured image: MTI

74th anniversary of the liberation of Budapest ghetto remembered

liberation of ghetto

Hungarians must not forget the dark sins of the past and future generations must be taught that mutual respect and understanding is vital to the unity of the nation, the deputy state secretary for civil and social relations said at an event marking the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Budapest ghetto on Thursday.

“We must admit that the government at the time shared responsibility for the deportation and killing of Jewish fellow countrymen,” Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in Dohány Street at the memorial wall of the former Budapest ghetto.

liberation of ghetto
Photo: MTI

“It is difficult to express in words how sorry I am and how sorry we are for this.

There is no excuse,” he told the event organised by the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH).

liberation of ghetto
Photo: MTI

Hungary will continue to apply zero tolerance against all expressions of anti-Semitism, he said.

Featured image: MTI

Hungarian poets celebrate Coca-Cola Hungary’s 50th anniversary

coca cola, drink, ice, cold

It has been 50 years since the first bottle of Coca-Cola was produced in the first Hungarian Coca-Cola factory in Kőbánya. To celebrate this special occasion many famous Hungarian poets, including István Csukás, grabbed a pen to write poems about this and, of course, Coca-Cola. 

According to szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, Coca-Cola Hungary celebrates its birthday with specially decorated bootles featuring Hungarian poets’ poems. Coca-Cola was introduced to Hungary at the International Budapest Market in 1967. Budapest started to manufacture this famous soft drink on the 17th June 1968. In 1991 after the end of the Soviet Regime Hungary established the company Coca-Cola Hungary and opened its factory five years later in Dunaharaszti (Pest County).

Since then, more than 439 million liters of Coca-Cola was produced and sold in Hungary. The income of the company is approximately 92 billion Hungarian Forints each year which equals to 276 million Euros.

Tibor Bornai wrote about his personal memories in his writing Coca-Cola and Me. András Szabó-Cserna wrote the poem Eastern Cola with some of his personal experiences about the American soft drink. Virág Erdős wrote about Coca-Cola Hungary’s 50-year-old history in her poem CC50. Lajos Nagy Parti described the significance of Coca-Cola and why is it so popular in Hungary is his writing Memory Cola.

István Csukás was born in 1936 and he is one of the most famous Hungarian authors and poets in the country. He won several awards – including the Kossuth-Award – and wrote hundreds of poems mostly for young children. Some of his writings and poems have been turned into famous Hungarian films and cartoons. He gave the title Cola Song to his poem describing how colorful this product is.

On the plane and on the bus

I am drinking ice cold Coca-Cola.

When I am walking on the sidewalk

I only think about Coca-Cola.

Cola, Cola, Coca-Cola

I never let down Coca-Cola.

 

I am drinking Cola on summer days

Even on cold winter nights

Springtimes and golden autumn

I always drink Coca-Cola.

Cola, Cola, Coca-Cola

I never let down Coca-Cola.

 

I drink it in the morning

I drink it in the evening.

I drink it while I am sitting and standing

For my breakfast and my dinner.

Cola, Cola, Coca-Cola

I never let down Coca-Cola.

 

Every child is drinking it with me

And I will drink it when I grow up.

I am sure that I will drink Cola

Cause I will be a thirsty grown up.

Cola, Cola, Coca-Cola

I never let down Coca-Cola.

 

Coca-Cola also announced a special game where participants can win several unique gifts including limited edition Coca-Cola bottles.

Centenary of Polish independence celebrated in Budapest

The 100th anniversary of Poland’s restoration of independence was celebrated in Hungary’s Parliament on Saturday.

László Kövér, Hungary’s speaker, said the existence of a strong, sovereign and independent Poland was indispensable for equilibrium in central Europe. But in the absence of such equilibrium, Europe itself could lose its balance irrevocably as European states and nations turn defenceless against non-European interests, he added.

Throughout history, Hungary and Poland relied on each other in their fight for freedom, Kövér said.

“Now, after a century of Bolshevism, fascism, Nazism, post-communism and neoliberalism, the contemporary political generation faces the question of whether central Europe stays a buffer zone or becomes a link between East and West, and between the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region,” he said.

The Visegrad Group countries, he said, should act together in the international arena and protect what is theirs. “We will defend our interests, our Christian culture and our identity under attack,” Kövér said.

Sejm President Marek Kuchcinski spoke about the thousand-year history of Polish-Hungarian friendship and praised Hungary’s role in the birth of the Second Polish Republic.

National Council for Sustainable Development marking its 10th anniversary

president áder

Economic growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, the president said on Friday, arguing that climate change could also be seen as an opportunity.

Addressing a festive session of the National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT) marking its 10th anniversary, János Áder — in line with an international report on climate change — urged the creation of a new economic model which takes into consideration the economic, social and health benefits of natural capital, clean water and air and biodiversity. Further, this new model should take into account the negative consequences of the exhaustion of natural capital, he said.

If the world fails to act on the deterioration of biodiversity, it will render impossible the conditions for food production for the coming decades, Áder warned. He added that if the current level of air pollution continues, more and more people will die from respiratory diseases.

Hungarian president called for a “sustainable change” which, if implemented until 2030, would bring about more stable economic growth. The change has already started, he said, “but it is not nearly fast enough and time is running out”.

To promote sustainable economic growth, state subsidies for fossil fuels should be cut and greenhouse gas emissions reduced. As part of the development of smart cities, public transport should be boosted and a non-motoric transport network developed, he said. Furthermore, the sustainable use of land, including the protection of rainforests, the rehabilitation of overused soil and modern farming technology should be promoted, along with sustainable water management, he said.

There are several Hungarian inventions supporting sustainable economy, Áder said, citing as examples an animal feed that reduces methane formation in livestock and a sewage-water cleaning facility which was put into operation in the Netherlands recently.