By Sharing Green Policies, Measures, Europe Can Give Impetus for Gains at Global

 

Level, Secretary-General Tells Regional Commission’s Ministerial Conference

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Seventh “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference, delivered by Ján Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in Astana on 21 September:

I am pleased to send greetings to this important Conference, and I thank the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting it.

This Conference marks the twentieth anniversary of the Environment for Europe process that has provided a vital platform for pan-European cooperation on the environment and sustainable development.  By working on an equal footing, the 56 Member States of UNECE, intergovernmental organizations active in the region, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders have been able to take many significant decisions.  These include environmental assessments, institutional mechanisms for cooperation, multilateral environmental agreements and policy instruments, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Next year, the “Rio+20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development offers a major opportunity for progress, both within the pan-European region and globally.  I am pleased that the two central themes of your meeting — water and greening the economy — complement the focus of Rio+20.

I know that the sustainable management of water figures prominently among your concerns.  I am encouraged to note that the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes will soon be open to countries outside the UNECE region.

I also welcome the efforts of many countries in the UNECE region to implement green policies and measures in key sectors.  By sharing these examples and agreeing on further steps towards a green economy, the region can provide important impetus for gains at the global level.

As a highly diverse region, encompassing developed and developing countries, you have much experience to offer.  Your work here can help foster success in Rio.  I encourage you to send a clear message to the global preparatory process that sustainable development must be our top priority and must be achieved.

I wish you a productive meeting.

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For information media • not an official record