Source: http://www.env.go.jp/en/earth/ecoasia/congress/1998sep.htm
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 03:21:24
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Seventh Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA '98)
(ECO ASIA '98)
I. Congress Background
II. Summary of Sessions
2. [Session 1] Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the
3. [Session 2] Climate Change (Part 1) - towards the success of COP4
Climate Change (Part 2) - strengthening the efforts and cooperation to cope with climate change in Asia and the Pacific region
4. [Session 3] Towards the Success of "Rio + 10" Assembly in 2002
5. [Session 4] Consideration and adoption of the Chair's Summary
Annex 1. Chair's Summary of the Seventh Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA '98)
Annex 2. Program
19-20 September 1998
Environment Agency, Government of Japan
ÆON Group Environmental Foundation
<SUPPORTED BY>
Earth Water and Green Foundation
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), the world's largest and highest level international conference ever, was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992 amid increasing concern over global environmental issues. The Earth Summit finally adopted three important documents on environment and development, namely, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; Agenda 21; and Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests. At the same time, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) were opened for signature.
In June 1997, five years after the Earth Summit, the Nineteenth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) was convened to review the progress made during five years in terms of the implementation of Agenda 21. The UNGASS, by adopting the "Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21", decided to convene the next comprehensive review of Agenda 21 by the General Assembly in the year 2002 (hereinafter referred to "Rio + 10"), and recommit to further substantive implementation of Agenda 21, stating "We commit ourselves to ensure that the next comprehensive review of Agenda 21 in the year 2002 demonstrates greater measurable progress in achieving sustainable development". In December the same year, the "Kyoto Protocol" was adopted by the COP3 of UNFCCC held in Kyoto, Japan which was a significant and historic milestone aiming at prevention of global warming in the 21st century.
The Asia-Pacific region faces a myriad of environmental problems including increased environmental pollution entailed by rapid economic growth and destruction of the environment caused by the depletion of natural resources. Serious concerns have also been raised over the acceleration of global environmental problems such as global warming, acid deposition and other transboundary issues. In order to cope with these problems, it is important that countries in the region work closely together to exchange information, promote policy dialogues, and enhance regional cooperation in the field of environmental protection.
Under these circumstances, the Environment Agency of Japan hosted the first Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific in 1991 (ECO ASIA '91) at which input from the Asia-Pacific region towards the Earth Summit was prepared through discussion. Since the 1992 Earth Summit, ECO ASIA Congresses have been held in Japan every year (Chiba in 1993, Saitama in 1994, Shizuoka in 1995, Gunma in 1996, and Hyogo in 1997). The Congresses have been successful by providing for discussion on Asia-Pacific input to UNGASS as well as for coming up with strategies to achieve sustainable development in the region.
ECO ASIA '98, based on the outcomes of UNGASS and COP3, aimed to focus on climate change and the actions and measures taken in the Asia-Pacific region towards the success of "Rio + 10" in the year 2002.
To this end, the Secretariat prepared the following three sessions for ECO ASIA '98. Participants were invited to contribute to proactive and constructive discussions and exchange views, thereby promoting progress in achieving sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific region.
Session 1: Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the ECO ASIA
Session 3: Towards the Success of "Rio + 10" Assembly in 2002
[Session 1] Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the ECO ASIA
Two projects, namely, "ECO ASIA Long-term　Perspective Project" and "Environmental Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (ECO-ASIA NET)", are currently ongoing under the auspices of ECO ASIA. During this session, the progress made during intersessional period on these projects was reported by the Secretariat and project leaders.
Progress reports were also given on two other important initiatives, namely the establishment of Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia which were reported on and supported by previous meetings of ECO ASIA.
ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project
The final report of Phase I activities of ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project was completed at the Fourth International Workshop held in October 1996, following the review by ECO ASIA '96. The outcomes of the project including the final report were presented as "ECO ASIA Panel" to CSD5, convened in April 1997.
The initiation of Phase II activities of the project was agreed on by ECO ASIA '97, and the draft Work Plan for Phase II was put together at the Fifth International Workshop held in March 1998. According to the draft work plan, outlines of the objectives and directions of Phase II are as follows:
(1) Objectives of Phase II
a.	To provide clear environmental policy options to be taken in order to achieve sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region which has different socio-economic situations and development scenarios.
b.	To provide ECO ASIA with substantive materials such as strategies or programs of action for the success of "Rio + 10" in the year 2002.
c.	To promote capacity building in participating countries in order to achieve sustainable development.
(2) Directions of Phase II Activities
a.	To undertake specific actions related to the four concepts (Eco-Consciousness, Eco-Partnership, Eco-Technology/Eco-Investment, and Eco-Policy Linkage) proposed through Phase I activities.
b.	To develop a mechanism by which cooperation among focal points of respective countries can be enhanced.
c.	To promote practical application of ECO-ASIA NET.
d.	To make efforts to encourage participation of various NGOs.
In this session, the project leader, Mr. Saburo Kato, President of the Research Institute for Environment and Society, reported on progress made during the intersessional period and the direction of future activities, following the introduction by the Secretariat. The ECO ASIA '98 was invited to consider the report introduced by Mr. Kato and support it as appropriate.
ECO-ASIA NET
Environmental Information Network for Asia and the Pacific, ECO-ASIA NET, was proposed and endorsed by ECO ASIA '96. Following the review by ECO ASIA '97, "Guidelines for the Configuration of ECO-ASIA NET" were developed at the Second International Workshop held in February 1998.
At the workshop, it was pointed out that appropriate monitoring, evaluation and revision of the guidelines were important as directions to be taken in the future, as well as the review process for improving the system which was crucial as the next step to be adopted.
Environment Agency of Japan, following the outcomes of the workshop, has tentatively set up an ECO-ASIA NET web site (http://www.ecoasia.org), and started preparatory phase operations. It is considered to hold the third international workshop to review and improve this system when appropriate experience has been accumulated and useful comments and/or opinions have been collected.
In this session, project leader, Professor Hidefumi Imura of Kyushu University reported on the progress made during the intersessional period and the direction of future activities, following the introduction of the Secretariat. ECO ASIA '98 was invited to consider the report by Prof. Imura and support it as appropriate.
The Charter for the Establishment of Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) was adopted at a founding meeting held in Kyoto coinciding with the COP3 meeting in December 1997. IGES has started its work officially since then.
It was agreed upon to launch preparatory-phase activities at the First Intergovernmental Meeting on Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia held in Yokohama in March 1998 following two working group meetings. The preparatory-phase activities have been in operation since April 1998.
The ECO ASIA Secretariat reported on progress made during intersessional period on these projects. ECO ASIA '98 was invited to take note of the report made by the Secretariat.
[Session 2] Climate Change
Global warming is one of the most critical problems which prevents us from achieving sustainable development. It is especially important for the Asia-Pacific region for the following two reasons: firstly, this region is considered to be very vulnerable to global warming, secondly, it is predicted greenhouse gas emissions from the region will increase dramatically in the near future.
Kyoto Protocol was unanimously adopted by the third session of the Parties to UNFCCC (COP3) which was held in Kyoto in December 1997. Whilst the Kyoto Protocol is certainly a significant milestone towards efforts to tackle global warming in the 21st century, there still remain many issues to be dealt with for its implementation. Furthermore, many issues other than the above must be considered to achieve the ultimate goals of the Convention to cope with global warming.
In this session, there was an exchange of views on efforts to be taken in the region against global warming including collaborative efforts for the success of COP4 in Buenos Aires.
During the first half of the Climate Change session, discussion centered particularly on what efforts in Asia-Pacific region were needed to contribute to make the COP4 in Buenos Aires in November 1998 a success, mainly focusing on the outcomes of the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change held on 17 and 18 September in Tokyo. H.E. Mr. Takayuki Kimura, Ambassador for Global Environmental Affairs, Japan, made the lead off presentation on the Informal Ministerial Meeting.
A variety of strategies and adaptation measures on climate change have been actively discussed in the region as at the Asia-Pacific Seminars on Climate Change held eight times since 1991. They are also implemented steadily. In the latter half of the Climate Change session, discussion centered on how to enhance regional cooperation against climate change, focusing on concrete efforts to tackle global warming such as the Asia-Pacific Seminar, taking a step back from the international negotiations on the Convention. Representatives from Japan, Papua New Guinea and the Asian Development Bank gave lead off presentations.
[Session 3] Towards the Success of "Rio + 10"
Through the assessment at the Special Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGASS) in June 1997 five years after the Rio Conference, mixed results of success and failure were submitted to the world community.
Despite record rates of global economic growth, wealth disparities have increased between the rich, developed countries and the developing world; differentiation is also becoming more apparent between more successful developing countries and those which remain least developed. The phenomenon of marginalization, whereby the poorest countries fail to make initial progress in economic or social improvements and become progressively less able to participate in the present global economic system, has become sharply apparent since the 1980s. Environmental quality with respect to air and fresh water has generally improved in the developed world but is still worsening in many areas of newly industrializing regions.
The threats of exhaustion of non-renewable resources which were major preoccupations of the 1970s now appear relatively less urgent, and environmental concerns have shifted to the degradation of renewable resources, primarily soil, forests, water and atmosphere. The extent and/or quality of these resources, and of other natural habitats and biodiversity, has declined overall in many regions of the world. Trends and projections in a number of key areas are cause for serious concern. Other trends have the potential to bring about more sustainable patterns of development. By promoting policy dialogue, they can be more clearly and positively enhanced.
During UNGASS, countries recommitted themselves to further implementation of Agenda 21 by saying "We commit ourselves to ensure that the next comprehensive review of Agenda 21 in the year 2002 demonstrates greater measurable progress in achieving sustainable development".
Under these circumstances during this session, views were exchanged on: 1) what should be done in order to "demonstrate more noticeable development" at Rio +10; 2) the role of the Asia-Pacific region on this point; and 3) future projections on actions to be taken by the region.
Representatives from China, Indonesia, ESCAP and IGES made lead off presentations.
ECO ASIA Congress participants were welcomed by H.E. Mr. Kenji Manabe, Minister of State and the Director-General of the Environment Agency and Mr. Hajimu Fujii, Mayor, City of Sendai.
H.E. Mr. Manabe began by pointing out that the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly at its Nineteenth Session in 1997 (UNGASS) concluded that implementation of Agenda 21 in the five years since the Earth Summit was not sufficient and that leaders of the world had recommitted themselves "to ensure that the next comprehensive review of Agenda 21 in the year 2002 demonstrates greater measurable progress in achieving sustainable development".
He emphasized that ECO ASIA '98 should focus on two important topics: collaboration to tackle climate change, and towards the "Rio + 10" Assembly in 2002. Regarding both topics, he pointed out that constructive and active exchange of views and information were needed. Many issues remain to be resolved in order to implement the Kyoto Protocol, and the further discussion how to implement Agenda 21 in Asia and the Pacific region was needed, he said.
Mr. Fujii welcomed participants to Sendai, and referred to the important challenge of meeting commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also described Sendai as a city that strives to live in harmony with the environment, mentioning successful initiatives to ban the use of studded tires which would cause pollution, and to promote recycling. He spoke of the precious attitude to protect and nurture trees in the city.
Both organizing representatives emphasized the importance of ECO ASIA '98 as an opportunity to discuss matters before the 4th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP4) to be held in Buenos Aires in November, and to increase regional cooperation leading up to "Rio + 10".
2. [Session 1] Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the ECO ASIA
This session was chaired by H.E. Mr. Manabe. The session began with an overview by Mr. Hironori Hamanaka, Director-General of the Global Environment Department of the Environment Agency of Japan. Mr. Saburo Kato then reported on the ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project, Professor Imura reported on the ECO-ASIA NET, and Mr. Hamanaka reported briefly on the establishment and activities of Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and on the East Asia Acid Deposition Monitoring Network. In ensuing open discussion, participants were invited to make comments on the reports.
The Hon. Mr. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia, pointed out that in the spirit of Eco-Partnership, work must be on equitable terms, saying there was a need to support developing countries through economic development, especially during the current period of economic crisis. He noted that multinational companies could help play a role, for example, in Malaysia, where the 'big brother' concept had been adopted where big companies help little ones obtain ISO14001 certification. He expressed support for ECO-ASIA NET, saying that information technology was a powerful tool, and suggested that ECO-ASIA NET provided not only basic data about state of the environment, but also provide other useful information for developing countries such as pollution control technologies.
Mr. Govind Swarup, Secretary, Department of Forest, Government of Maharashtra, India, commented on Eco-Consciousness, saying that in most developing countries the problems faced were conflicts between development and environmental issues. The type of education required and information dissemination required are of an entirely different nature than in developed countries. Education should involve not only consciousness of top level policy makers or agencies, but also people involved in and affected by decision-making processes.
Mr. Howard Bamsey, Deputy Secretary, Department of Environment, Australia, suggested that ECO ASIA projects should provide analysis of trends over time in the region, regarding the key concepts such as information about how Eco-Consciousness changes along with international circumstances as well as national ones.
Ms. Hiroko Morita-Lou, Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN/DESA), announced that they had published a report called 'Critical Trends for Rio Plus 5' that would be a useful reference about trends. Regarding ECO- ASIA NET, she was favorably impressed with the homepage, and announced that UN/DESA also had Internet links relating to Agenda 21 topics for each country based on submissions from each country.
Dr. Nay Htun, UN Assistant Secretary-General, United National Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Bureau, made two points. First, he noted that the last 12 months had brought momentous and unprecedented changes politically, economically, environmentally in the world, whose impacts were still unfolding. The UNDP has a major project on six countries, addressing impacts of the current economic crisis. He noted that there had been unprecedented destruction lately from unsustainable development and natural disasters such as fires and floods in China, Bangladesh, and now Mexico and Latin America, and other areas. He said there was a need to think about how to reorient activities to address the unfolding situations. For example, he said that there had been no mention of considering how to rehabilitate lands that had been flooded and destroyed by fires. What technology is available? Food is still needed from disaster-affected land to feed three billion people who live in the Asia Pacific region. These issues need more attention. Second, the concept of 'sustainable development' had been discussed for twenty years, he said, but what was increasingly needed was knowledge and application of the environmental technology and information to developing countries to pursue sustainable development. For example, how can agricultural land, forests and coastal zones be restored? Regarding urbanization, some say that 'the war for sustainable development will depend on the battle in urban areas'. Eighty percent of the world population will be concentrated in coastal zones. What kind of technology is needed to make transportation and other infrastructure in these zones sustainable? Finally, he announced the Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) which involved about 15 countries in the region so far, and offered to consider how his organization could work with ECO ASIA.
Ms. Lilia Casanova, Deputy Director of the United Nations Environment Programme/International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP/IETC), referred to a comment from the representative of Malaysia about information technology and introduced the Osaka-based IETC system called maESTro, an information system on environmentally sound technology. This system provides information through the Internet about institutions, information sources, and technologies, especially on urban issues, waste management, and fresh water management (wetlands, lakes, etc.).
Mr. Hamanaka made the final reports of the session. He said that Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) was established last year, with an event of UNFCCC-COP3 during which countries and organizations signed a Charter. So far 10 countries, four international organizations and 21 research and academic institutions from 14 countries have signed, he said. Core projects are on climate change, urbanization, forests, education, and environmental governance. Next year work will pay attention to new development patterns. This year an opening ceremony was held at Shonan Village in Kanagawa Prefecture in July. He said that it would be hoped that IGES would move towards being an international institution. Finally, he announced that the East Asia Acid Deposition Monitoring Network was established in March 1998, after two working group meetings in 1997 and 1998 and the first inter-governmental meeting in 1998. Test operations started in April 1998 and would continue until the second inter-governmental meeting in 2000. Japan's contributions to the network are a part of Initiatives for Sustainable Development toward the 21st Century (ISD) of Japan.
3.	[Session 2] Climate Change (Part 1) - towards the success of COP4
Part I of this session was chaired by H.E. Mr. Manabe, Minister of State and the Director-General of the Environment Agency. The session began with a lead off report by H.E. Mr. Takayuki Kimura, Ambassador for Global Environmental Affairs, Japan about the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change which had been chaired by Mr. Manabe on 17 and 18 September in Tokyo in preparation for COP4.
He noted that while meetings of the subsidiary bodies in Bonn had not provided substantive discussions about issues needing resolution before COP4, the Informal Ministerial Meeting had discussions on substance, rather than formalities. At the Informal Ministerial Meeting there was consensus that each country involved would try their own share of work in order to achieve success at COP4. He reported that the discussions consisted of three parts: individual country domestic efforts and international cooperation; mechanisms; and future cooperation. About the first topic, each country had explained its efforts, with many referring to more efficient use of energy. Developing country participants explained their efforts and emphasized that they were at a different stage of development. Figures on energy efficiency and future targets were explained. There was recognition that countries at different levels of development should have different targets to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. He said that consensus was reached that countries should make their efforts known to the world by compiling information about best practices, in order to learn by experiences and practices of each other.
Mr. Kimura reported that during second part of discussion at the Informal Ministerial Meeting, about the clean development mechanism and emissions trading, there was consensus that these were 'win-win' options. Involving project-based reductions of GHGs, for developed nations the clean development mechanism will help to meet goals of GHGs reductions, while for developing nations it can promote the needed technical and financial transfers and give them emissions credits. He said that all who spoke regarding this item expressed their expectations for this mechanism. Regarding emissions trading and implementation, Mr. Kimura said that many speakers had pointed out and that there was agreement on the need for a reliable and transparent system; thus monitoring and verification were important. The Meeting agreed that the three mechanisms---missions trading, joint implementation and the clean development mechanism---hould be developed in parallel, he said. He also reported talk of making a cap for those mechanisms in relation to the domestic efforts of individual countries. There was no convergence of views, but a lively discussion was held on this point. All agreed that discussion should continue, and confirmed that the prevention of global warming is the goal of the Climate Convention.
As for the third topic, international cooperation, Mr. Kimura said that the Informal Ministerial Meeting felt that strong leadership would be necessary at COP4 and during the subsequent process, and that since the positions of many countries differred, open discussion was needed. A number of countries expressed the view that the private sector (businesses and NGOs) should be more involved, and that some way should be found to get more of their involvement at COP4 and in the future.
Mr. Kimura concluded with his view that the Informal Ministerial Meeting had been successful by exchanging views frankly, and that there was general convergence of opinion in how countries should go forward to COP4.
The Hon. Mr. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia, commented that his country considered COP3 an important milestone in UNFCCC process. He said that Malaysia was keen to reach agreement on the mechanisms to implement the Kyoto Protocol, but that initial discussions indicated the complexity of the mechanisms. It is important for parties to narrow and enhance their understanding of differences. Malaysia sees the goal of COP4 to be allocation of work for the two subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC, and determining the timing of products, saying that countries must have confidence in the two bodies created, the SBSTA and the SBI. He said that Malaysia felt it might be useful to consider commitments of developing countries to reduce GHGs emissions, but it must be remembered that the overriding goal of developing countries was economic development, which would lead to increased emissions. However, they will make efforts such as energy efficiency, and sinks enhancement.
H.E. Mr. U. Ohn Gyaw, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Commission for Environmental Affairs of Myanmar, said that climate change was an important issue for the Asia-Pacific region, and that an aggressive program should be set up. He pointed out that most countries were predominantly agricultural trading countries. Recently droughts and floods had been increasing. He explained that his country had engaged in greening projects with community participation, and that through participation in the Asia Least-cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS), a GHGs inventory had been made and abatement strategy would begin soon.
H.E. Mr. S.M. Rashed Ahmed, Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan, stated that his country was now experiencing the worst floods of this century, preventing his minister from attending ECO ASIA. He noted that the IPCC projected a one-meter increase in sea level by 2100, which would submerge a large portion of Bangladesh, and that countries with large populations would be severely affected. In 1992 Bangladesh signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with great expectations, and recently the Kyoto Protocol was agreed at COP3, but very few countries had ratified yet, a demonstration of a lack of action, he said. Bangladesh urged developed countries to ratify by COP4, he said, and called for agreement on GHGs emissions standards per capita, with an emission tax on any excess emissions to be used to assist developing countries. He said that much of the needed technologies were in the private sector and were expensive, and that the world needs to see a commitment by developed countries to solve problems which would cause enormous sufferings in developing countries.
Mr. Mian Suhail Aslam, Minister Technical, Embassy of Pakistan in Japan, commented that events had brought the environment to an unprecedented level of visibility, but that there was a lack of resources for developing countries to match the conferences and translate words to action. In formulating national policies, there was growing realization among both developed and developing countries that no nation could isolate itself from destruction, he said. In the last decade more than one billion people were forced to live in poverty, and to share the earth's limited resources. He said that Pakistan was aware of the rapid environmental degradation of the world, had signed international accords for sustainability of the environment, but needs resources, transfers of technology, and guidance from developed countries to put the schemes into action.
Mr. Howard Bamsey, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment, Australia, noted that the Informal Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo had been an extremely valuable contribution on the part of Japan leading towards COP4, injecting a dynamism which had been lacking or diminishing since COP3 in Kyoto. Much work should be needed, he said, much of which was technical, but none of that could function without strong political leadership. He said that the implementation mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol needed to be developed in parallel. It was important to remember that developing countries were making efforts to limit GHGs emissions, he said, referring to previous speakers, and that it was also important to keep developing countries involved in discussions.
The Hon. Mr. John Allen Fraser, Ambassador for the Environment, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada, said that studies starting in 1996 showed that Canada had already experienced warming such as the growing area of plants moving north, ice sheets were melting, boreal forests drying out in the south. On Canada's west and east coasts, anadromous fish are being affected, and fresh water bodies will be affected, including the Great Lakes. Despite these signs of impacts, some voices still deny that there is a problem, or say that no action should be taken or that the economic costs of action would be too great. He noted that he was aware of efforts already being taken by developing countries, and that people in developed countries needed to hear more about the impacts being experienced in developing countries, and about their efforts and plans regarding GHGs emissions. He announced that Canada would soon host a meeting on clean development mechanism with Brazil.
The Hon. Mr. Vilisoni Cagimaivei, Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Fiji, said that climate change was not something we were expecting to come. It was already here, he said, and Fiji was experiencing an extreme drought, ruining crops this year and likely next year as well. He asked all to consider the plight of small countries such as Fiji, and urged ECO ASIA and the COP4 meeting to tackle these issues with urgency, for the sake of mankind.
Mr. Heuk-Jin Chung, Director General for International Cooperation, Ministry of Environment, Korea, noted that Korea had been developing very quickly since 1972, although the country was in the midst of an economic crisis. Energy consumption was still growing, and Korea imports 98% of its energy from outside, he said. Korea has signed the Kyoto Protocol and will meet commitments in the third budget period from 2018 to 2022 but transition mechanisms are needed. As there were many difficulties in carrying out flexibility mechanisms, it would take time before achievements to be seen, he said. Korea is especially interested in the clean development mechanism which is to start in 2000.
The Chair summarized the discussion of Part 1 with three main points: both developing and developed countries were vulnerable to climate change; global action was needed, particularly it was important for countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol quickly, and to deal with the clean development mechanism and other flexibility mechanisms; and technology transfers were very important. He also repeated the view that political leadership was needed.
Part 2 of the Climate Change session, on strengthening the efforts and cooperation to cope with climate change in Asia and the Pacific region, was chaired by Mr. Kurihara, State Secretary for Environment, Environment Agency of Japan. Three presentations began the discussion.
Mr. Hamanaka began with a brief report on activities supported by Japan to strengthen cooperation in the region, including the Eighth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change held in Phuket from 22 to 25 June 1998; the ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project and ECO-ASIA NET; the Kyoto Initiative announced during COP3 to strengthen assistance to developing countries for climate change; and the Asia-Pacific Network on Climate Change (AP Net) .
Next, Hon. Mr. Herowa Agiwa, Minister, Department of Environment and Conservation, Papua New Guinea, spoke about the efforts of Pacific Island countries and needs for international cooperation in capacity building within government agencies responsible for implementing climate change activities. He pointed out the concern of people living in the Asia-Pacific region, including coastal areas and small low-lying islands, which were vulnerable to sea-level rise and other adverse effects of climate change. He said that many countries had been working closely through Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme (PICCAP), and that most South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) members had already ratified the Kyoto Protocol. He gave examples of legislation already in place which could impact GHGs emissions, such as a logging code of practice, and draft petroleum and energy legislation. He pointed out that support was needed from developed countries and international organizations to deal with financial, technical know-how, and information constraints in Pacific Island countries.
To complete the lead off presentations, Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani, Manager, Environment Division, Office of Environment and Social Development, Asian Development Bank (ADB) described the Asia Least Cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS), a 12-country program funded by ADB and UNDP which had the following goals; 1) to develop and enhance national and regional capacities for preparation of GHGs inventories, 2) to develop national and regional capacities to identify, formulate and analyze GHGs abatement options, and 3) to prepare a portfolio of GHGs abatement projects in each country consistent with national development objectives. Countries involved were Bangladesh, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, representing almost a half of the world's population.
The project found that countries studied emit 12% of the world's GHGs emissions today and that emissions would almost quadruple from 1990 to 2020 under business as usual scenario. Short-, medium- and long-term GHGs abatement scenarios were considered, considering costs and needs in each country. Over 80 possible projects were identified. The ALGAS project resulted in core capacity to analyze and develop policy in each country. He said that now the enormous funding needed to abate GHGs emissions were clear.
Dr. Lohani also mentioned the ADB's 'Emerging Asia' studied about the situation in Asia in 2020, obtaining input from finance and trade ministers. When asked on which environmental issues they would like to spend money if more was available, climate change was the lowest priority. He said that this meant the only way to deal with funding needs for climate change mitigation was to put climate change policy into all operations and activities, in other words, to 'mainstream' climate change.
Dr. Nay Htun, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Bureau, noted that the ALGAS project had produced a very important result in a short time, and that an important feature was that ALGAS had been very 'country-driven'. He said that any work on GHGs reductions and climate change must happen within the context of development realities of developing countries. In addition, the ALGAS project shows that developing countries are indeed making effort. Regarding the presentation from Papua New Guinea, he referred to a G-77 study of GHGs emissions in 1990 that found 75% were from developed and 25% from developing countries, 79% and 21% respectively for cumulative emissions, and 88% and 12% respectively of effective emissions. This figure would support the concept of common but differentiated responsibility, he said, and meant that the issue of technology transfers and financial resources were important.
Mr. Guangyao Zhu, Vice Minister, State Environmental Protection Administration, China, first commented that for the post-COP3 process to succeed the legally binding aspects on Annex I countries should be put into force. A clear difference needs to be made between legally binding commitments of Annex I countries and activities of developing countries. He said that China had been doing its best to address climate change issues since before COP1, such as improving energy efficiency, clean technology, tree planting, population control, and restructuring for renewable energy. Second, most developing countries are at a low level of social development and need to develop, leading to increased GHGs emissions. Regarding the Kyoto Protocol, too much time was spent on procedural matters such as the clean development mechanism, whereas this should be left to the subsidiary bodies to address. Countries should be more action oriented and project oriented, he said, and should be concerned about outcomes.
Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Manager, Environment Sector Unit, East Asia and Pacific Region, World Bank, noted that for both developed and developing countries who were owners of the World Bank, challenges were how to identify and promote opportunities for win-win solutions [actions that deal with both climate change and needs for development]. They feel that the answer is that the Bank needs to work hard to develop portfolios and bring these opportunities to developing countries. It is important, now that Asia is dealing with economic crisis, that both short-term and long-term issues be considered. The leadership of Environment Agencies was important, she said. A second issue is dealing with tradeoffs between environment and economic growth, an area where the role of the Bank is to create compensatory mechanisms to deal with obstacles. The Bank, an executing agency for the Global Environment Facility, was piloting joint implementation projects around the world, and had designed a prototype carbon investment fund, she said. She noted that the World Bank was open to work with individual countries on least cost carbon reduction strategies.
The Hon. Mr. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia, said that previous speakers had shown that developing countries were taking action. He emphasized immediate tasks involved the work of the two subsidiary bodies, on technical issues, and on implementation. Only through the effective transfer of technology developing countries became to deal with climate change, he said.
Mr. Lal Kurukulasuriya, Chief, Regional Environmental Law Programme, UNEP/ROAP recognized that the needs of countries in Asia-Pacific included information and technical transfer, etc., and expressed his full support to the afore-mentioned speakers on these issues.
In all Part 1 and 2 of Session 2 provided a detailed discussion about how to achieve success at COP4 and to promote regional efforts to address climate change.
4. [Session 3] Towards the Success of "Rio + 10"
This session was chaired by Mr. Hirohisa Kurihara, State Secretary for Environment, Environment Agency of Japan. The session began with lead off presentations by Mr. Guangyao Zhu, Vice Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, China, H.E. Mr. Panangian Siregar, State Minister for Environment, Indonesia, Ms. Kayoko Mizuta, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Prof. Akio Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
Mr. Guangyao Zhu outlined activities in China to promote sustainable development, such as the Program of Environmental Protection between 1998 and 2002, including integrated decision-making on environment and development, improvements in environmental legislation and strengthening both industrial pollution control and ecological conservation, making environmental quality a major element in evaluating the government's work, increasing expenditures on environmental protection, promoting environmental technologies, and promoting environmental education.
H.E. Mr. Panangian Siregar described activities in Indonesia, such as Agenda 21 Indonesia, formulation of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze, and Indonesia's National Biodiversity Action Plan.
Ms. Kayoko Mizuta, noted that ESCAP's members and associate members included 60 countries and territories and that it was the largest regional commission in the United Nations system. She suggested that ECO ASIA might wish to deal with the serious short-and long-term environmental consequences of the current Asian financial crisis which were being borne by the poorer sections of society. She noted that ESCAP had organized the region-wide Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific every five years starting in 1985, with the 1995 meeting producing a Declaration and Regional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development for 1996-2000 (RAP). The Fourth Ministerial Conference will be held in the year 2000, and as a gathering of decision-makers at the highest-possible level of environmental and development authorities in the final year of the twentieth century and second millennium, will (a) assess further the regional state of the environment and sustainable development processes, (b) develop strategic approaches and guiding principles to tackle the problems of the region, as well as develop a course of action with commitment for concrete actions, (c) facilitate all possible measures to create and reinforce region-wide alliances among all stakeholders of civil society, to promote actions at all levels, (d) formulate a Declaration on the commitment of the region, and (e) formulate a message from Asia and the Pacific to the global community, by providing a regional input to "Rio + 10". She also reported that ESCAP was promoting the implementation of the six-country North-East Asian Sub-regional Programme on Environmental Cooperation together with the ADB, UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank, with ESCAP serving as the interim Secretariat. The six participating countries agreed to the Framework for the North-East Asian Subregional Programme of Environmental Cooperation, and were to meet for its fifth session at Kobe in February 1999. Ms. Mizuta invited ECO ASIA to consider cooperation with ESCAP in the Fourth Ministerial Conference in 2000, and in the North-East Asian programme.
Prof. Akio Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), reported on adoption of the Charter for the Establishment of IGES during COP3 by nine countries, three international organizations, and 17 research and academic institutions from 12 countries. IGES now had 26 researchers, including five from abroad (China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Nepal) and 19 staff members, he said. IGES is an international strategic research institute aiming to promote strategies to address global environmental problems. Five research projects have been chosen: Climate Change, Urban Environmental Management, Forest Conservation, International Cooperation on Environmental Education, and Environmental Governance. He reported that IGES planed to offer a seminar during COP4 regarding the design of the clean development mechanism. As a contribution to "Rio + 10", IGES desired to provide results of its research to policy makers, business communities, and NGOs, he said. He emphasized the desire of IGES to contribute to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Heuk-Jin Chung, Director General for International Cooperation, Ministry of Environment, Korea, began the discussion by commenting that he saw ECO ASIA as an important forum for Asian and Pacific countries and that the first priority should go to facilitate exchange of information in the region. The functions of ECO ASIA should be strengthened, he said, and meeting once a year was not enough to discuss the matters needing attention. He added that the network should be developed in a way that every country can communicate information on every key issue, including climate change. For example, best examples in other countries of the region should be communicated in order to promote climate change prevention activities.
H.E. Mr. S.M. Rashed Ahmed, Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan on behalf of his minister, said that while developing countries were making efforts to fulfill commitments made at the Earth Summit in 1992, developed countries had been slow to do so. He urged developed countries to take the following actions to (1) ratify the Kyoto Protocol, (2) fulfil commitments for greenhouse gas emissions abatement, (3) expand resources available for adaptation to climate change as agreed under Kyoto Protocol, (4) expand resources for sustainable management of biodiversity terrestrial and aquatic, (5) reduce air and water pollution with special attention to transboundary flows, (6) expand technical and financial support for renewable energy, especially in developing countries, and (7) improve mechanisms for transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hieu, Director, Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Hydrometeorological Service, Vietnam, said that extreme weather events had seriously affected Asia-Pacific countries, especially developing countries. He said it was urgent to develop disaster response strategies. He suggested that ECO ASIA paid attention to the evaluation of extreme weather events.
Ms. Hiroko Morita-Lou, Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN/DESA), read a message from Mr. Nitin Desai, Under Secretary-General for the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations. It referred to the UN General Assembly for the Overall Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of Agenda 21 held in New York in June 1997, which stressed the need for increased regional implementation of Agenda 21. In pursuit of this mandate, DESA organized a Consultative Meeting among Regional Institutions in New York in February 1998, which found that driving forces behind regional initiatives in sustainable development and implementation of Agenda 21 programmes included (1) the decisions of national governments and the higher national priority given to sustainable development issues; (2) regional trading partnerships and economic integration; (3) the actions and activities of non-governmental organizations and major groups; (4) the fuller integration of environment into economic and social policy planning and (5) the actions and decisions of intergovernmental bodies, including the multilateral convention COPs. It also emphasized the importance of strengthening global-regional linkages. To follow-up these recommendations, a regional consultative meeting on sustainable development would be organized in November 1998 in Manila. The outcomes of ECO ASIA '98 were welcomed for this meeting. Ms. Morita-Lou closed by stating her view that momentum would grow towards "Rio + 10" in 2002 with the regional ministerial conference planned by ESCAP in 2000, a State of Environment Report including regional assessments to be completed by 2000, and some results of the ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project by 2001.
Dr. Mohammed Hamed Matouq, UN Researcher, United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), stated that his organization would study the impact of globalization on the environment, and was paying attention to sustainable regional development, particularly for countries in transition. Also, he said that we needed to understand communities around the world which 'may not even be on maps', such as in upland areas in the Mekong basin. Many already lived in a sustainable way, without formal education, he said. We have to learn from them. Finally, much attention often goes to climate change risk management, but more attention is needed on adaptation. In developing countries the lack of technology was a problem, and there was a need to look at least cost measures, he said.
The Hon. Mr. Datuk Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia, said that pledges for sustainable development made in Rio in 1992 must be honored. Many pledges of financial assistance were made but unfortunately not fulfilled, he said. Both developed and developing countries must make efforts, he said.
Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki, Vice-Rector, the United Nations University (UNU), said that the UNU was like a virtual university, and introduced some activities: a conference on climate change and trade, work on 'zero emissions' production, and a project to learn from tradition culture.
This session provided a useful opportunity to share views to lead to the success of "Rio + 10".
During the final session, chaired by H.E. Mr. Manabe, the contents of the draft Chair's Summary were clarified and the final version approved.
1. The Seventh Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA '98) was held in Sendai, Japan from 19 to 20 September 1998. It was hosted by the Environment Agency of Japan and Sendai Municipal Government. It was attended by 49 representatives including 11 Ministers and six Vice-Ministers from 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 16 representatives from 10 international organizations and a wide range of participants (see List of Participants attached).
2. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Kenji Manabe, Minister of State and the Director-General of the Environment Agency of Japan, with the 10 Ministers as Vice-Chairs.
3. The meeting discussed the following four subject items:
Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the ECO ASIA
Climate Change -towards the success of COP4
Climate Change -strengthening the efforts and cooperation to cope with climate change in Asia-Pacific region
Towards the Success of "Rio + 10" Assembly in 2002
(Review of the progress made during the intersessional period on the projects and other initiatives under the ECO ASIA)
4. The progress made during the intersessional period on the "ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project" and "Environmental Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (ECO-ASIA NET)" was reported by the Secretariat and project leaders. The meeting acknowledged their efforts and encouraged them to further develop close linkages with other existing projects and with various information networks. Suggestions were made that the ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project took into account the recent unprecedented developments in the region that had economic, social and environmental implications. Analysis of trends might be considered in the future. Progress made on "Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)" and "Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET)" was also reported and further development of close linkages in the region through ECO ASIA was welcomed.
(Climate Change - towards the success of COP4)
5. The outcome of the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change held on 17 and 18 September 1998 in Tokyo was reported by H.E. Mr. Takayuki Kimura, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs and Global Environmental Affairs, Japan.
6. In the ensuing discussion, views were expressed that climate change was an extremely serious issue as the impacts of climate change were already being felt as a real problem in this region, such as on flooding and the decline of agricultural productivity, and the need for action to tackle global warming had been emphasized, in particular the need for the early entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. For this, it was pointed out that (a) there were many unclear aspects about the three mechanisms, namely international emissions trading, projects under Article 6 and the clean development mechanism, therefore, it was important to promote international discussion about these three mechanisms in parallel, and (b) the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change held in Tokyo was seen as extremely beneficial to facilitate international negotiations, enabling significant progress at COP4. In this connection, the view was expressed that ministers should demonstrate political leadership in order to make COP4 a success. In addition, it was pointed out that the promotion of technology transfer was important to further strengthening actions needed.
(Climate Change - strengthening the efforts and cooperation to cope with climate change in Asia-Pacific region)
7. Introductory presentations started this session. Mr. Hironori Hamanaka, Director-General of Global Environment Department, Environment Agency, Japan briefed participants on the outcome of the eighth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change in June 1998 in Phuket, Thailand, and initiatives of Japan for international cooperation including the "Kyoto Initiative" which was launched by the Government of Japan in December 1997 in order to strengthen assistance to developing countries for climate change. The Hon. Mr. Herowa Agiwa, Minister for Environment and Conservation (Papua New Guinea) made a presentation on the efforts in Pacific island countries and needs for international cooperation. Dr. Bindu Lohani, Manager for the Environment Division, Asian Development Bank also made a presentation on a regional project named "Asia Least-cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS)".
8. It was pointed out that, in order to address the climate change issue in the Asia-Pacific region, there were several problems to be emphasized, including (a) insufficient human resources for the preparation and implementation of policies; (b) shortage of funds to implement those policies; and, (c) needs for better access to and utilization of information on climate change. Regarding the implementation of policies to cope with global warming, views were expressed that (a) various measures had been already being implemented in developing countries in the region; (b) it was very important that these significant voluntary actions by developing countries be better known, especially in developed countries; (c) prioritization was very important in developing the policies, in order to utilize limited resources efficiently; (d) various efforts to mitigate climate change, particularly in the energy sector might have significant positive values for economies, and therefore such aspects as "win-win" approaches should be well taken into consideration in developing policies for climate change; and, (e) greenhouse gas emission reductions need to be addressed within an integrated framework of sustainable development.
9. Relating to international cooperation to tackle global warming, participants emphasized the importance of cooperation in further promoting capacity building and technology transfer. It was agreed that at this stage action was needed rather than discussion. In this context, interest was expressed in the clean development mechanism. In addition, the meeting acknowledged the achievements of ECO ASIA and the outcomes of the eighth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change. Support was expressed for these initiatives to continue.
(Towards the Success of "Rio + 10" Assembly in 2002)
10. Mr. Guangyao Zhu, Vice Minister, State Environmental Protection Administration (China), H.E. Mr. Panangian Siregar, State Minister for Environment (Indonesia) , Ms. Kayoko Mizuta, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP and Prof. Akio Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, IGES made introductory presentations.
11. Mr. Zhu outlined activities in China to promote sustainable development, such as the Program of Environmental Protection between 1998 and 2002, including integrated decision-making on environment and development, improvements in environmental legislation and strengthening both industrial pollution control and ecological conservation. Mr. Siregar described Indonesian initiatives, such as the Agenda 21 Indonesia, formulation of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Haze, and Indonesia's National Biological Diversity Action Plan. Ms. Mizuta suggested that ministers might wish to deal with the serious environmental consequences of the current Asian financial crisis which were being borne by the poorer sections of society; she noted that the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) had organized the region-wide Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific every five years starting in 1985, and was promoting the implementation of the 6-country North-East Asian Subregional Programme on Environmental Cooperation together with ADB, UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank. Prof. Morishima informed the meeting of the establishment and activities of IGES, including five strategic research projects to be conducted until 2000 (Climate Change, Urban Environmental Management, Forest Conservation, Environmental Education and Environmental Governance), of which outcomes of the first three were expected to be particularly useful for Rio + 10; and planned to organize a seminar during COP4 to follow up on the Kyoto Protocol.
12. In the discussion following these presentations, it was recognized that positive steps had been being made in the implementation of Agenda 21, including the preparation of national Agenda 21 Action Plans by countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, however, participants from developing countries expressed views that overall efforts worldwide were inadequate in fulfilling commitments by the developed countries made at the Rio Summit. Consequently, participants expressed keen interest in utilizing this ECO ASIA forum to further implement the commitments adopted at the Rio Summit and to advance a positive Asia-Pacific approach in coping with global environmental problems. In this context, for the purposes of realizing a successful "Rio + 10" Assembly, views were expressed that progress in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol was essential.
13. Regarding the role of ECO ASIA leading up to the "RIO + 10" Assembly, a suggestion was made to seek linkages between ECO ASIA and the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia planned for the year 2000 by ESCAP. In addition, views were expressed that ECO ASIA was expected to make a significant contribution through linkages with other activities in the region both in making significant progress in regional implementation of the Rio commitments as well as in preparing for the "Rio + 10" Assembly. It was also suggested that ECO ASIA should identify the areas of slow or no progress from the point of view of a successful "Rio + 10" Assembly in the year 2002, and that some mechanisms should be evolved to follow up with the members and monitor in close linkage with ESCAP.
14. Participants of the meeting expressed their appreciation to the Environment Agency of Japan, Sendai Municipal Government and other parties involved in organizing the meeting. Special gratitude was expressed to the Sendai Municipal Government for hosting the meeting and to the people of the City for their warm hospitality.
09:00 - 09:30 Opening of the Meeting
H.E. Mr. Kenji Manabe, Minister of State and the Director-General of the Environment Agency
Mr. Hajimu Fujii, Mayor, City of Sendai
Reports by the Secretariat and project leaders
Mr. Saburo Kato, President, Research Institute for Environment and Society
Prof. Hidefumi Imura, Professor, Kyushu University
Session 2: Climate Change (Part 1) - towards the success of COP4
H.E. Mr. Takayuki Kimura, Ambassador for Global Environmental Affairs, Japan
Session 2: Climate Change (Part 2) - strengthening the efforts and cooperation to cope with climate change in Asia and the Pacific region
Mr. Hironori Hamanaka, Director-General, Global Environment Department, Environment Agency, Japan
The Hon. Herowa Agiwa, Minister, Department of Environment and Conservation, Papua New Guinea
Dr. Bindu N. Lohani, Manager, Environment Division, Asian Development Bank
15:30 - 17:00 Session 3: Towards the Success of "Rio+10" Assembly in 2002
Mr Guangyao Zhu, Vice Minister of State Environmental Protection Administration
H.E. Mr. Panangian Siregar, State Minister for Environment, Indonesia
Ms. Kayoko Mizuta, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Prof. Akio Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategy (IGES)
18:00 - 19:30 Welcome reception hosted by H.E. Mr. Kenji Manabe, Minister of State and the Director-General of the Environment Agency, Japan
Morning No meeting scheduled. The participants are encouraged to join the "APEC Symposium on Environmental Education towards Sustainable Cities" to be held at the same venue.
14:30 - 15:30 Session 4: Consideration and adoption of the Chair's Summary
17:00 - 17:30 Press Conference
18:00 - 19:30 Reception hosted by Mr. Hajimu Fujii, Mayor, City of Sendai
Mr. Howard P.Bamsey
Ms. Linda Meisel
H.E. Mr. S.M. Rashed Ahmed
H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth
Mr. Ly Narun
EIA Department, Ministry of Environment
The Hon. Mr. John Allen Fraser
Mr. Richard Ballhorn
International Environmental Affairs Bureau,
Mr. Ken Macartney
Environmental Relations Division,
Mr. Guangyao Zhu
Mr. Weixue Cheng
Mr. Wurui Wen
Secretary to Vice Minister
Mr. Ne Ouyang
Division of International Cooperation,
China-Japan Friendship Environmental Protection Center
The Hon. Mr. Vilisoni Cagimaivei
Mr. Akapusi Qeranatabua
Mr. Govind Swarup
Department of Forest, Government of Maharashtra
H.E. Mr. Panangian Siregar
Dr. RTM Sutamihardja
Special Assistant Minister for Global Environment Affairs
Mr. Kenji Manabe
Minister of State, Director-General of Environment Agency of Japan
Mr. Hirohisa Kurihara
State Secretary for Environmental Affairs
Mr. Takayuki Kimura
Ambassador for International Economic Affairs and Global Environmental Affairs
Mr. Yasuhiko Okada
Mr. Hironori Hamanaka
Mr. Hajimu Fujii
Mr. Heuk-Jin Chung
Mr. Hee-sun Yang
Prof. Dr. Souli Nanthavong
Minister, President
The Science Technology and Environment Organization
Mr. Somphone Phanousith
Director General of Cabinet
The Hon. Mr. Datuk Law Hieng Ding
Mr. Lee Heng Keng
Director, Assessment Division
Mr. Jini Wat
Principal Private Secretary to the Minister of
The Hon. Mr. Bayartsogt Sangajav
Ministry for Nature and the Environment
Mr. Naidansuren Erdenesaikhan
H.E. Mr. U. Ohn Gyaw
Chairman/Minister
The National Commission for Environmental Affairs/Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. U. Kyaw Tint Swe
Secretary of the National Commission for Environmental Affairs /
Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. U. Zaw Myint Oo
The Hon. Mr. Ambika Sanba
Ministry for Population and Environment
Dr. Madhav Prasad Ghimire
Chief of Environment Division
Mr. Mian Suhail Aslam
Minister Technical
The Hon. Mr. Herowa Agiwa
Mr. Titi Nagari
H.E. Mr. Aiwa Olmi
Atty. Roseller De La Pena
Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Local Government Affairs
The Hon. Mr. Nandimithra Ekanayake M.P.
Ministry of Forestry & Environment
Mr. Sarath Ekanayake
Mr. Sunthad Somchevita
Mr. Samai Leesakul
Advisor to the Deputy Minister
Mrs. Orapin Wongchurnpit
Director of Policy and Planning Division
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hieu
Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology,
Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani
Environment Division,
Office of Environment and Social Development,
Ms. Kayoko Mizuta
Environment Sector Unit,
East Asia and Pacific Region,
Mr. Soichiro Seki
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA),
Dr. Mohammed Hamed Matouq
UN Researcher
UN Assistant Secretary- General
UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Bureau
Ms. Lilia GC. Casanova
United Nations Environment Programme /
Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki
Prof. Fu-chen Lo
The United Nations University / Institute of Advanced Studies
Dr. Esook Yoon
Mr. Hiroaki Takagi
Mr. Kazuo Aichi
Mr. Yoshihisa Inoue
Mr. Hiroaki Kameya
Mr. Takashi Kosugi
Mr. Ichio Kumagai
Ms. Tomiko Okazaki
Prof. Hidefumi Imura
Institute of Environmental Systems, Faculty
Mr. Saburo Kato
1) Environment Agency of Japan
Mr. Masaharu Yagishita
Mr. Masayuki Goto
Office of Overseas Environment Cooperation,
2) City of Sendai
Mr. Kunihiko Chiba
Mr. Masahiro Miyazaki
ÆON Group Environment Foundation
Mr. Tadashi Yasuhara
Mr. Masaaki Sakurai
Mr. Tadanori Suzuki
Environment, WID and the Global Issues Division,
Mr. Michiyuki Tsuchiyama
Board Member (In charge of the Japan Fund for Global Environment)
Japan Environment Corporation (JEC)
Mr. Toshio Fujinuma
Environment and Social Development Office,
The Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF)
Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu
Mr. Hideo Okada
Mr. Tomokazu Okumura
Mr. Kazuo Matsushita
Mr. Masaru Moriya
Mr. Mitsuo Usuki
Senior Advisor to Director-General
Global Environment Department,
Mr. Kazumi Kishibe
Mr. Takehiro Okubo
Mr. Kimiaki Jin
Ms. Kuniko Sato
Mr. Takayoshi Isozaki
Mr. Motonari Tsujiwaki
Mr. Ryutaro Yatsu
Control and Cooperation Division,
Mr. Shigemoto Kajihara
Office of International Strategy on Climate Change,
Mr. Takashi Omura
Mr. Kazunari Furuichi
Mr. Katsuharu Sugizaki
Mr. Seiya Goto
Environment Bureau,