Statement by Ambassador Wang Min, Deputy Permanent Representative
of China to the United Nations, at the Second Preparatory Committee
Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development
Mr. Chairman,
The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development is an
important meeting in the field of sustainable development after the
1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development held in
Rio de Janeiro.
Over the past 20 years, the international community has made a lot
of progress in sustainable development, as evidenced by the
deepening international and regional cooperation in environment
and development in various forms and the popularity of the notion
of sustainable development.
Nevertheless, economic and social development in different regions
is uneven, biological degradation and environmental pollution
continues to deteriorate, and achievement of the MDGs remains a
long-term, arduous task. Developing countries still face practical
difficulties such as lack of fund and technology. In recent years, the
financial crisis, climate change, food crisis, natural disasters,
energy security; geopolitical problems and other new challenges
keep emerging. They have eroded the global efforts toward
sustainable development.
Under such new circumstances, the UN Conference on Sustainable
Development will provide an important opportunity for the
international community to address the new challenges, and make
comprehensive plans for global cooperation in sustainable
development. The Conference should embody the spirit and
principles of the Rio conference, and strive to inject new impetus
into the global sustainable development endeavors. The current
preparatory committee meeting shoulders the important task of
preparing for the Conference. China stands ready to work with all
parties concerned to lay the groundwork for the success of the
Conference.
Mr. Chairman,
During the first preparatory committee meeting and the sideline
meetings, Member States already had an in-depth discussion of the
objectives and themes of the UN Conference on Sustainable
Development. In this context, the Chinese delegation would like to
stress the following points:
First, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development should build
on past experience, strengthen the political will of the international
community, formulate a specific and future-oriented program of
action, support the sustainable development strategies of individual
countries, and promote the global sustainable development process.
To reach this goal and ensure positive results, the Conference and
its preparatory process should follow these principles: First, the
principle of sustainable development. The Conference must center
on the goal of sustainable development, and promote harmonization
and coordination of economic growth, social development and
environmental protection in the globe. Second, the principle of
pluralism and inclusiveness. We need to respect the right of
countries to independently pursue sustainable development, take
full account of the specific national conditions of different
countries, respect their models of sustainable development, and
ensure that they have enough space to make their own policies.
Third, the principle of consensus. The views of developing
countries, in particular, should be heeded, and their special needs
be taken into full consideration.
Second, green economy is an important instrument for achieving
sustainable development. Its core and main objective is coordinated
development of the economy and environment, particularly the
comprehensive, balanced and coordinated progress in the economic
sector, social endeavors and environmental protection.
Now parties have different opinions on the concept of green
economy. China maintains that discussion of green economy should
center on the following areas: First, take full account of the energy
resources, development stage and capacity of a country, and follow
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. No
one-size-fits-all standards or targets should be set at this stage.
Second, follow the principle of mutual benefit. Green economy
should not be used as an excuse for new trade barriers and no "green
strings" should be attached when providing development assistance.
Third, strengthen international cooperation, especially in the areas of
renewable energy, energy saving and emission reduction. It is
necessary to provide more financial and technical support to
developing countries and promote their capacity building.
Third, strengthening and improvement of the sustainable
development mechanism framework should be based on existing
mechanisms and focus on implementation. At present, countries are
seriously divided over the principles, modalities and goals of
international environmental governance. We may focus on
strengthening the role of the UNEP and enhance the coordination
among environmental mechanisms and between environmental
mechanisms and other multilateral development institutions. The
priority is to ensure stable, sufficient and predictable sources of
funding and advanced, preferential and environmentally friendly
technologies for developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
To launch the drafting and negotiation process of the outcome
document at an early date will help parties have a full and in-depth
discussion of the themes of the Conference, and push for the
Conference to achieve positive, practical and concrete results. China
hopes that parties will strengthen communication and coordination,
and finalize the relevant arrangements as early as possible, so that
parties can make plans, fully participate in the Conference, and work
together to make it a truly pragmatic and efficient conference for
implementation of the global sustainable development process. Mr.
Chairman,
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the UN
Conference on Sustainable Development and its preparatory work.
We have set up an inter-agency preparatory mechanism for the
Conference. To promote the preparatory process and show the
Chinese government's support for developing countries, I hereby
announce that China will contribute to the trust fund of the
Sustainable Development Committee to cover the expenditure of
recruiting experts and financing the participation of LDCs
representatives in the Conference. China will continue to play a
constructive role, and work with all parties to bring about positive
results for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
Thank you.
