PRESS CONFERENCE BY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT OF FRANCE

International action was an essential part of any environmental policy today because no country could pursue its environmental policy by itself, Serge Lepeltier, Minister for Ecology and Sustainable Development of France, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Explaining that he had held his ministerial post for only a month, he said that participation in the Commission on Sustainable Development, due to conclude its three-week session today, had enabled him to make useful contacts within the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), including its Executive Director, as well as with other environment ministers.  At bilateral talks last night, he had met with some leaders of non-governmental organizations, all of which had enabled him to develop a few ideas held dear by France, particularly in the area of water.

He said he had learned from the Commission that environmental issues were becoming increasingly important.  More than 100 ministers had participated in the session, an indication of the level of interest.  Next year would be very important because policy decisions would be taken on the three topics presently under review, namely, water, sanitation and housing settlements.  In the coming years, global and national activity should be rededicated to the issue of access to basic essential services.

An important international meeting he had attended had involved countries belonging to a working group on an initiative by the French President on the possible establishment of a United Nations environment, he said.  That proposal would in no way interfere with his country’s vision of a stronger UNEP, which would have a larger governing board and increased expert participation.

He said he had held a fruitful discussion yesterday with students from ColumbiaUniversity about the links between globalization and the environment.  Various topics had been discussed, including tropical rainforests and the Kyoto Protocol.

Asked whether any complaints had been made about partnerships, particularly whether he had heard that private enterprise was proving not to be a very suitable partner, he replied that he was very much in favour of such partnerships, which were absolutely indispensable to France in the management of several areas, such as ensuring water quality.  However, partnerships between the public and private sectors took a good deal of time.

The Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development had highlighted the need for partnerships between the public and private sectors, he recalled.  Also of importance to France was the participation of local authorities.  Aside from the national effort, the involvement of local entities and communities, or decentralized cooperation, could considerably help the environment and development.  The experience of local groups was fertile soil for the development of public and private partnerships.

Asked whether the responsibility of various United Nations agencies working in the area of water should be reallocated in order to better focus their efforts, he replied that there was a need for clarity and, in some cases, for more coordination.  That was an additional argument for the creation of an environmental organization within the United Nations, especially with the existence of so many agreements on the environment.

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