| Promotion of Win-Win Cooperation |
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| Tuesday,December 11,2007 Posted: 17:48 BJT(0948 GMT) |
| From:MOFCOM Article type:Original |
by Vice-Minister Mr. Yi Xiaozhun
Dear Director General Yumkella, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon! I am very pleased to attend this Side Event. This side event is co-organized by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China and UNIDO, and focuses on the cooperation achievements on the implementation of the Multilateral Environmental Agreement. First of all, please allow me，on behalf of the Chinese government to take this opportunity to thank UNIDO’s strong support in assisting China implement environmental conventions. I would also like to thank all of you for participating in this occasion and supporting the cause of environmental protection in China.
It is a great pleasure to note that, over the past 30 years, UNIDO has carried out a series of effective cooperation with China, especially in the field of environmental protection. UNIDO has played a critical role in assisting China implement international environmental conventions like Montreal Protocol and Stockholm Convention, and eliminate ODS (Ozone depleting substances) and POPs (persistent organic pollutants).
As many of you might be aware, China has just stepped into the middle stage of industrialization, a period when energy and environmental issues gradually come into sight. The implementation of scientific development concept and the establishment of an energy-saving and environmental-friendly society have been highlighted in our modernization strategy. As a responsible developing country, China is making active efforts to contribute to the protection of the global environment through implementation of relevant conventions and reduction of pollutions caused by ODS, POPs and other chemicals. Yet, as the biggest developing country, we are fully aware that we have a long way to go in solving environmental problems. Many difficulties and challenges exist in terms of technology, financing, environmental management, as well as social and economic development. It’s for this very reason that we call for support in larger scale and broader scope from international community including UNIDO. Developed countries have rich management experiences and matured technologies in the reduction, elimination and treatment of ODS and POPs, which are quite valuable for China to learn from or refer to. China would like to further strengthen the North-South cooperation in environmental protection. As shown in practice, this kind of cooperation does not only improve China’s environment, but also benefit the global situation.
With the strong support from international community, and the joint efforts by the Chinese government, enterprises, research institutes and NGOs, China’s implementation on ODS elimination has come up with some effective achievements. China's National Implementation Plan of POPs Convention has been approved by the State Council. Implementation mechanisms have been set up and a firm foundation has been laid. China has accumulated some valuable experiences in the implementation of environmental conventions, especially in the elimination, reduction and control of ODS and POPs, which are also fit for other developing countries. We would be happy to share these experiences with them. Based on the consensus reached in the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, China will gradually expand the scale of its aid to Africa, with environmental protection as one of its priority fields. We will continue to strengthen our efforts on capacity building and technology transfer to the African Countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China cannot develop without the rest of the world, nor can the world be prosperous and stable without China. Global problem needs global response. The Chinese government welcomes the active participation of all international organizations, countries and civil society groups in China’s implementation of the conventions on POPs and ODS. It is our belief that, by working together, we can make a difference. We have full confidence on the cooperation with UNIDO in the years to come.
I wish this meeting a big success. Thank you.
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