Representatives of 70 international, European and national environmental citizens organizations (ECOs) from 30 countries met under the auspices of the European ECO Forum in Astana, to formulate their demands and recommendations to the governments at the Seven UNECE European Environmental Ministers Conference Environment for Europe, taking place in Astana in September 2011. The result was an Astana declaration dealing with four basic topics: Green Economy, Water and Water-Related Eco-Systems, Water and Green Economy. Environment for Europe process should continue and strengthened. They support the initiative to promote a transition to a green economy and higher resource efficiency. The green economy should improve the quality of life for all within the carrying capacity of the Earth. Necessary is the cooperation of all sectors – governments, business and civil society – to develop markets with responsible consumers and producers. For a transfer towards the green economy, there needs to be a balance between water resources availability and human and nature’s water demands. With deep regret they realise that from one Conference to another one Ministerial Declarations become more declarative and concrete decisions and action points are lacking. The authors of this article are co-authors of the Astana declaration.