Chair's Summary of the
Tenth Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific
(ECO ASIA 2001)

Tokyo, Japan

13-14 October 2001

1. Chairperson's Summary
2. Program
3. List of Participants

1. The Tenth Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA 2001), hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, was held in Tokyo, Japan on October 13-14, 2001. The Congress was attended by 85 participants, including 13 ministers and 39 other national delegates representing 21 countries, mainly from the Asia-Pacific region. Thirty-six of the participants represented 12 international organizations and a range of other agencies.

1. 2. The Congress was chaired by H.E. Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of the Environment, Japan. It took up the following topics:
a. Establishment of Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development
b. Output of ECO ASIA Long-Term Perspective Project Phase II
c. Preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development 
d. Climate Change 
e. ECO ASIA's Future Activities

Establishment of the Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED)

3. The session on the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) began with a presentation by the Secretariat overviewing the preparations made for the Forum since ECO ASIA last convened.

4. The proposed APFED was recognized by the participants of ECO ASIA 2001 as having member candidates possessing an extraordinary range of knowledge, skills, and experience. In light of the high level of eminence of proposed Forum members and the Forum's conceptually innovative roots, the Congress expressed a strong desire to see innovative, concrete proposals emerging from the Forum. It also expressed its overall support for items in the draft Terms of Reference, noting, for example, their desire to see the Forum explore innovative financing options. Ministers emphasized their desire to have the Forum maintain a high degree of transparency and give full consideration to the unusual range of economic, social, and environmental realities which confront the region. 

5. The Congress granted overall approval to the establishment of the Forum after consideration of its draft Terms of Reference and its proposed timetable and after clarification by the Secretariat regarding the Forum member selection process. Furthermore many ministers mentioned that the draft Terms of Reference and the issues likely to be pursued by the Forum matched well their own visions for what topics the region should be pursuing.

Output of ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project (LTPP) Phase II 

6. Mr. Kazuo Matsushita, Acting Vice-President of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), introduced the draft final report on the ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project (LTPP) Phase II (1998-2001). Among the comprehensive contents of the report (entitled "Towards a Sustainable Asia and the Pacific: Report of ECO ASIA Long-term Perspective Project Phase II (Draft)"), he highlighted the application of the LTPP's four key concepts (eco-consciousness, eco-partnership, eco-technology/eco-investment, and eco-policy linkage) to six critical environmental issues in Asia and the Pacific region, i.e., climate change, urban environment, freshwater, forests, biodiversity, and education for sustainability.

7. The analyses and recommendations provided in the report were welcomed by the participants. Comments made by the participants pointed to a need for a renewed recognition of the importance of the four key concepts and their application to the diverse critical issues related to sustainable development in the region, as well as a need for enhancement of implementation capability in each participating country. Participants also expressed expectations regarding the follow-up activities of the LTPP, i.e. those to be undertaken via the Asia-Pacific Environmental Innovation Strategy Project (APEIS), and expressed their hopes that APEIS would address some issues not fully addressed under the LTPP, such as land degradation and waste management.

8. Participants endorsed the draft of the final report of LTPP Phase II. The chair asked the Secretariat to revise the draft to reflect the Congress' discussions and present the final version at November's Asia-Pacific regional preparatory meeting for the WSSD. 

Preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

9. The discussion on preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) began with five leadoff speeches. Mr. Nitin Desai, United Nations Under-Secretary General, spoke first, reminding the participants of the implementation-oriented focus of the WSSD and the crucial role of regional meetings in WSSD success. He urged ministers to work for the involvement of a broad variety of stakeholders, as the WSSD is not just a governmental meeting. He further urged the ministers to encourage their heads of state and fellow Cabinet members to focus clearly on the WSSD agenda, citing a need to build strong political support for the WSSD immediately. He mentioned three central issues for Asia, namely poverty eradication, sustainable consumption, and ecosystem perspectives. In the context of the WSSD preparatory process, he emphasized the importance of political will, the need to develop practical steps for implementation, and creating and strengthening partnerships. He also emphasized the need to advance substantive consideration of these issues in the preparatory process. 

10. Dr. Klaus Topfer, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), urged the participants to act to step up regional and global level preparations in order to emerge with substantive results, particularly with regard to what is the best administrative structure for facilitating implementation. He reminded the participants that the WSSD is about sustainable development and not only about the environment and in that context urged the participants to cooperate with economic commissions and development banks as well as UNDP and UNEP. 

11. Dr. Kim Hak-Su, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), explained the leadership role of ESCAP in organizing subregional and regional preparatory meetings with a high degree of openness of dialog and an emphasis on concrete action, both unique to the Asia-Pacific region. He then reiterated the goals of the region's preparatory process, namely the formulation and adoption of a forward-looking regional platform, which would include actions addressing priority areas.

12. Prof. A.H. Zakri, Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies of the United Nations University (UNU/IAS), first discussed the issue of inter-linkages and then reminded the participants of the need to focus on the priority areas of better assessment techniques and effects of environmental degradation on the poor. He emphasized the need for early agreement on a realistic agenda and proposed examining increased opportunities for dialog, especially informal meetings at which exchanges of views can take place.

13. Dr. Eimi Watanabe, Assistant Administrator and Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) then emphasized the key nature of national engagement and follow-up as means for overall mobilization and engagement, citing UNDP country assessments as a good means of making the challenges and successes in the region prominent. The highlighting of success stories will be crucial in developing implementable ideas.

14. Discussions reconfirmed the importance of the WSSD preparatory processes currently being undertaken at national, subregional, and regional levels. Participants highlighted that the success of the summit requires the involvement of ministers and others overseeing and involved in a broad range of sectors, not merely environment ministers. The need for the involvement of heads of state, development ministers and other ministers in preparations for the summit was stressed, as was the key importance of collaboration between central governments and other stakeholders, including NGOs, businesses, and local governments. Participants further noted that implementation aspects must be emphasized at the summit if the world is going to achieve its sustainable development goals. 

15. Priority areas to take up in the WSSD preparatory process, including sub-regional meetings, were pointed out: poverty-related issues; financing issues; technology development and transfer; governance, including inter-linkages; consumption patterns; health; oceans; freshwater; mountain ecosystems; land degradation; desertification; and the cultural and religious aspects of environmental issues.

Climate Change

16. The Congress' consideration on Climate Change began with a leadoff speech by Mr. Hironori Hamanaka, Vice-Minister for Global Environment Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan. Mr. Hamanaka presented his views regarding the upcoming 7th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP7). He explained that the agreement at COP6bis was a vital step toward the Kyoto Protocol's entry into force by 2002, and that the government of Japan will make every effort to achieve final international agreement on the Kyoto Protocol at COP7. He stressed the commitment of assistance to developing countries to address climate change issues. He concluded by presenting two challenges, specifically the effective implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and the design of the next steps to be undertaken after the conclusion of the first commitment period.

17. The floor was opened for discussion about climate change and COP7. It was noted that climate change was a real and urgent problem requiring cooperative efforts among countries. Participants also emphasized the importance of a global regime in which every country can participate under the principles stipulated in the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

18. Country delegates spoke of their many efforts to date, such as recently introduced policies and legislation and national communications under the UNFCCC. They spoke appreciatively of these and other strategies and projects established through the cooperation of and assistance provided by GEF, UNEP, UNDP, ADB, JICA, foreign governments, and so on. Countries also mentioned the areas of assistance they most urgently required, including areas such as research, technology transfer, and capacity building, among others. 

19. Participants noted the need for strong political will at COP7. They highlighted strongly the need for Parties to reach agreement on the legal text of the detailed rules and procedures for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol at COP7 as well as the importance of the Protocol's early entry into force.

ECO ASIA's Future Activities

20. The secretariat proposed a new range of activities and mechanisms for the further progress of ECO ASIA based on its ten years of experience to date. They were the launch of the Asia-Pacific Environmental Innovation Strategy Project (APEIS) and the establishment of an ECO ASIA Panel. The APEIS Project has been proposed with the expectations of furthering the outcomes of the LTPP for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and has three primary objectives: to build the scientific infrastructure for policy making; to promote environmental cooperation and capacity building; and to propose a model of a regional initiative. APEIS will be undertaken in close collaboration with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), and other relevant projects and agencies.

21. The participants expressed their high expectations for these new initiatives as well as important suggestions for their better implementation, including the need for research which is action-oriented, the need for information transparency, capacity building, and the value of maximizing participation by countries throughout the region, particularly as they undertake to implement Agenda 21. After a comprehensive discussion which broached the initiatives' goals, logistic considerations, and funding mechanism, the Congress endorsed with appreciation the launch of APEIS and the establishment of the ECO ASIA Panel. The chair, on behalf of the Congress, asked the secretariat of the ECO ASIA Panel to consult closely with participating countries and organizations during the selection of the members of the Panel and to review and coordinate the workings of the APEIS Project, taking into full account the suggestions and views expressed during the Congress.

22. The representative of Australia drew the Congress' attention to the operation of the caretaker administration in Australia.

23. The Congress heard the result of the Conference on Global Environmental Crisis, which the Global Environmental Action (GEA), in cooperation with UNDESA, held concurrently with ECO ASIA, from Prof. Emil Salim who chaired the Conference. The Congress also received a report from Prof. Morishima on the APFED Organizational Meeting on October 14. The Congress thanked them for their reports.

24. The participants expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and other parties involved in organizing the meeting.

3. List of Participants

Australia

Mr. Haward Percival Bamsey
Deputy Secretary
Department of Environment and Heritage

Mr. Tom Menadue
Second Secretary
Australian Embassy,Tokyo

Cambodia

H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth
Minister
Ministry of Environment

Mr. Vathana Kol
Assistant to the Minister
Ministry of Environment

Canada

Mr.Gilbert Parent
Ambassador for the Environment

Ms. Julie Catherine Rekai Rickerd
Executive Assistant to Ambassador Parent

China

Mr. Wang Xinfang 
Vice Minister
State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA)

Mr. Yue Ruisheng 
Deputy Director General of International Cooperation
State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA)

Mr. Ouyang Na
Division Director, China-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection
State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA)

Dr. Jiang Wei
Division Director, Department of International Cooperation
State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA)

Mr. Cui Zhicheng
Secretary, Minister's Office 
State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)

India

The Hon. T.R. Baalu
Minister
Ministry of Environment & Forests

Mr. Rajeev Kher
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Environment & Forests

Mr. S.Velumani 
Private Secretary to Minister
Ministry of Environment & Forests

Mr. S. Sunoareshan
Minister
Embassy of India, Tokyo

Mr. Thanglura Darlong
First Secretary 
Embassy of India, Tokyo

Indonesia

H.E. Mr. Nabiel Makarin
State Minister 
State Ministry of the Environment

Mr. Effendy Achmad Sumardja
Assistant to the Minister for Global Environment Affairs
State Ministry of Envinronment

Islamic Republic of Iran

H.E. Dr. Yousef Hojjat
Deputy Head
Human Environment of Department of the Environment

Japan

H.E. Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi
Minister
Ministry of the Environment

Mr. Hironori Hamanaka
Vice-Minister for Global Environment Affairs
Ministry of the Environment

Mr. Shigeru Sumitani
Director-General
Global Environment Bureau
Ministry of the Environment

Mr. Toshiro Kojima
Councillor, Minister's Secretariat
Ministry of the Environment

Mr. Yukio Takasu
Director-General
Multilateral Cooperation Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Kazakhstan

H.E. Mr. Kairat Aitekenov
The Chairman of the Committee of Environmental Protection
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Laos

H.E. Dr. Souli Nanthavong
Minister to Prime Minister's Office
President of the Science, Technology and Environment Organization

Mr. Khonesavanh Malibayphith
Assistant to Minister
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment

Mr. Hiroyuki Goto

Mr. Xayaveth Vixav
Deputy Director General, Department of Environment, 
Science Technology and Environment Agency, Prime Minister's Office

Malaysia

The Hon. Dato' Ding Law Hieng 
Minister
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment

Mr. Lee Ooi Goan 
Special Officer to Minister
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment

Mr. Lee Heng Keng 
Director
Department of Environment
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment

Mongolia

The Hon. Zamba Batjargal
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Monglia
Embassy of Mongolia in Japan

Mr. L Dashpurev
Minister
Embassy of Mongolia in Japan

Mrs. E. Davaasuren
Embassy of Mongolia in Japan

Myanmar

U THANE MYINT
Secretary
National Commission For Environmental Affairs

Mr. Aung Saw Min
First Secretary
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in Japan

Nepal

H.E. Mr. P. L. Singh
Minister
Ministry of State for Population and Environment

Mr. Janak Raj Joshi
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Population and Environment

Papua New Guinea

Mr. Jiro Kandoya
First secretary to Minister
Office of Environment & Conservation

Mr. Tony Kuman
Technical Advisor
Office of Environment & Conservation

Philippines

Ms. Rosemarie A. Imperial
Executive Assistant for the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Republic of Korea

Mr. CHUNG Dong Soo
Vice-Minister,
Ministry of Environment

Mr. SHIN Dong Won 
Director, International Affairs Division
Ministry of Environment

Mr. KWON Chun Kyoung
Deputy Director
International Affairs Division
Ministry of Environment

Ms. YOO Beom-Sik
Interpreter & English Editor
Ministry of Environment

Samoa

The Hon. Mr. Tagaloa Sale Tagaloa
Minister
Ministry of Environment

Mr. Tu'u'u Ieti Taule'Alo 
Director of Environment
Ministry of Environment

Thailand

Mr. Sunthad Somchevita
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment

Mr. Chalermsak Wanichsombat
Secretary General
Office of Environmental Policy and Planning
Ministry of Science , Technology and Environment

Ms. Asadaporn Krairapanond
Environmental Specialist
Office of Environmental Policy and Planning
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment

Tonga

The Hon. James Cecil Cocker
Minister
Monistry of Lands, Survey, and Natural Resources

Mr. Uilou F. Samani
Director of Environment
Monistry of Lands, Survey, and Natural Resources

Viet Nam

The Hon. Dr. Bui Manh Hai
Vice-Minister
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bao Tam 
Senior Officer
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment