Stateme nt by the Chinese Delegation on International Institutional Building in
Promotion of Sustainable Development
(Mar. 8, 2011, New York)
Mr. Chairman,
As the Secretary General stated in his report, currently there are over 500 multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs) in the world, but these agencies and treaties failed to
prevent environmental degradation effectively. On the contrary, the worsening of global
environmental problems has exposed the weakness of the multilateral environmental system as
expressed by fragmentation, duplication, lack of coordination and low efficiency, thus bringing
into sharp focus the need to strengthen international institutional building in promotion of
sustainable development.
The Chinese delegation is in favor of further promoting international institutional
building for sustainable development. In recent years, the international community has
conducted full exchange of views on this issue. UNEP in particular has carried out in -depth
discussions which resulted in certain common understanding and some useful
recommendations. However, we must recognize that strengthening international institutional
building for sustainable development is an integrated undertaking that involves multiple fields
and sectors. It is also of great complexity and sensitivity, and therefore cannot be achieved
overnight. Efforts to improve international institutions for sustainable development should take
the existing system as the basis, enhance integration and coordination among various
institutions, and aim to strike a balance among economic development, social progress and
environmental protection so as to promote the timely realization of the MDGs.
In this context, we believe that priorities should be given to the following areas:
1. Enhanc ing the role of UNEP. We should further reinforce its functions, increase
financial and technical support for it and raise its efficiency so that UNEP can play a
significant role in global environmental governance.
2. Strengthening the coordination among various environmental institutions and between
them and other multilateral development agencies. We support the recommenda tion put
forward by the Secretary General in his report on the establishment of more extensive
institutional frameworks on sustainable development. It is necessary to strengthen the leading
role of relevant UN agencies such as the CSD and the ECOSOC in sus tainable development,
and foster synergy of these institutions. Meanwhile, international financial institutions, WTO
and multilateral development banks should give priority to sustainable development and
further enhance coordination with UN agencies.
3. Ensuring stable, adequate and predictable financial support. While ODA commitments
should be honored, it is also necessary to provide new and additional financing for sustainable
development. In the meantime, innovative means of financing should be explored, which can
serve as a useful supplement to the ODA.
4. Providing advanc ed and environment-friendly technologies on preferential terms. The
international community, developed countries in particular, should implement in good faith
commitments on technology transfer to developing countries in order to help build their
capacity for green and sustainable development.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
