On Environmental Cooperation in ASEM

On Environmental Cooperation in ASEM by Minister KIM Myung-Ja, Ph.D. Republic of Korea Beijing, 17 January 2002 First of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the government of the People's Republic of China for hosting the first ASEM Environment Ministers Meeting. I would also like to thank you for the wonderful green concert last night, which I believe inspires and foretells a harmonious and successful outcome of this meeting. As clearly enunciated in the Chairman's Statement of the Third Asia-Europe Meeting in Seoul two years ago, ASEM is committed to playing a constructive role in enhancing the relationship between the two vibrant regions based on the principles of equal participation, mutual respect and equitable contribution. Today, as we embark on a momentous mission to consolidate our environmental cooperation, we should keep those principles in mind and strive for the best. I believe that in our approach to ASEM environmental cooperation, we should give serious thought to two distinct components. First, just as ASEM has been established to forge a comprehensive and future-oriented partnership between Asia and Europe, our environmental cooperation should be pursued in a way that will create a mutually reinforcing and beneficial relationship. Second, the two regions should have as a priority global environmental protection. Asia and Europe make up more than 50% of the world population and trade volume and thus have a great impact on the rest of the world. Accordingly, our strenuous efforts towards sustainable development of the will facilitate global endeavor to maintain a wholesome planet. In this context, I believe that ASEM's environmental cooperation should focus and work on the following areas: First, Asia and Europe have disparate economic and environmental conditions. In order to promote mutual understanding of the environmental problems, policy instruments and infrastructures of each ASEM member state, we should ensure sustained and comprehensive exchange of environmental information. Moreover, as ASEM member states hold divergent views on climate change, desertification, WTO and other global environmental issues, it is imperative that we forge a bond of understanding through frequent dialogues. Second, we need to encourage environmental investments in the two regions. As reported in a number of studies, environmental demand in many Asian countries is steadily increasing due to rapid economic growth and a variety of subsequent environmental problems. As a result, the range and the amount of environmental investments as well as the size of environmental markets are notably expanding. If the potential of the Asian market system and the strength of European technologies are well utilized, environmental investments will bring substantial economic and environmental benefits to both Asia and Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to next highlight the importance of environmental technology in both sustainable development and economic growth. So far many Asian countries have had neither ready capital nor access to information on advanced environmental technologies of Europe. EU member states on the other hand have had insufficient scientific or personnel basis to assess Asia's demand for technologies. (In this regard) we should devise mechanisms to vigorously promote environmental technology sharing for the mutual benefits of our two regions. Fourth, I would like to comment on the capacity building of developing countries. In their efforts to create an environmentally friendly society, many developing countries in Asia are hamstrung by acute shortage of environmental funds and human resources as well as weak administrative systems. It is therefore imperative that we discuss ways to support their capacity building through education and training. Furthermore, in order to enable the ASEM Environment Ministers Meeting to play a pivotal role in environmental cooperation among the countries of Asia and Europe, we need a concrete and effective mechanism that will carry out our agreements. To this end, we should form a working group comprising of representatives from all ASEM member states to develop and coordinate ASEM Eco-Projects, which will be jointly formulated at the Environment Ministers Meeting. Also, it would be an efficient way to have the Senior Officials Meeting lay the groundwork for launching these projects. Lastly, the experience of the Asia-Europe Environment Technology Center (AEETC) in the last two years demonstrates the inherent difficulty that exists in maintaining a well-functioning joint environmental organization of Asia and Europe. We should carefully review and evaluate the works of AEETC and if necessary, restructure the organization with expert groups and the Pilot Phase Guidance Group (PPGG) playing a leading role. This would ensure a sound use of our financial and human resources for more expeditious sustainable development. In conclusion, we are here at the first ASEM Environment Ministers Meeting in Beijing with an important task of ensuring the viability of our planet and ultimately our future. I am positive that the fruits we will reap through ASEM discussions and cooperation will herald in a sustainable tomorrow where our children and grandchildren can enjoy all the blessings that we enjoy ourselves.