On May 19-20, the First Forum of Environment Ministers of Asia Pacific was held in Bangkok, Thailand. MEP Chief Engineer Wan Bentai led the delegation of Chinese government to the meeting.
The forum discussed topics including Post 2015 Development Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals, Asia Pacific Environment Outlook and UN Environment Assembly. Over 180 representatives from 33 countries and more than 20 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting of whom nearly 20 were of ministerial level. Executive Director of UNEP Achim Steiner gave a welcome address and Te Breretitenti Anote Tong, President of Kiribati gave the opening speech.
Wan Bentai elaborated on the views of the Chinese delegation on UN Sustainable Development Goals and environmental sustainability. He said that China expects the UN to develop a set of reasonable and feasible goals on sustainable development to help all countries truly incorporate environment into national planning and investment decision-making. To meet the objective, we should first ensure that environmental sustainability is fully integrated into the goals of sustainable development when making the goals, taking account of economic, social and environmental factors to promote comprehensive, balanced, coordinated and sustainable development. Second, while enforcing the goals, we need to help all countries, especially developing countries, to improve their enforcement ability by designing related mechanisms so that environmental departments are mainstreamed in the pursuit of national sustainable development. Third, we need to respect other countries’ right to choose. All countries may choose the path and model of sustainable development fit for their national conditions.
Wan also presented China’s ecological civilization concept and the practice of how to mainstream environment into development by ecological civilization building. Achim Steiner sang high praise for China’s effort to build ecological civilization and hoped the concept and experience of ecological civilization will be shared on more occasions.
During the meeting, Wan also held talks with Sanjaasuren Oyun, President of UN Environment Assembly and exchanged views on issues relating the UN Environment Assembly.
