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STATEMENT BY
MR. KIM HAK-SU
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
OF UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA
AND THE PACIFIC

(Agenda 5: Policy perspectives in the Asian and Pacific region)

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

You may kindly recall the inspiring welcoming and inaugural addresses made by the honourable dignitaries at the inaugural session of the Conference, which have already set the scene for our deliberations on the policy perspectives.  I myself have also shared some of our thoughts with you at the inaugural session and the Round Table this morning.  At this point, I just wish to highlight or recapitulate some policy concerns that the distinguished delegates may consider in their deliberations.

As we all know, our ESCAP members and associate members are at different stages of development. Each approaches economic development based on its natural resource endowments, histories, cultures and traditions. However, we also recognize that the environmental challenges facing the region are of global significance and concern.

We are very pleased to see that Asia and the Pacific is one of the lead regions of the world in industrial and agricultural production. Unfortunately this has also resulted in the rapid increase in production activity placing tremendous pressure on the environment. At the same time, our consumption patterns are also unsustainable. As incomes rise, we are becoming more urbanized and demanding more energy-intensive and imported goods, and in general, consuming more and more. This trend is expected to continue unless we take immediate policy measures to reverse it.

In the region there is limited use of environmentally friendly technologies, waste production and management approaches and recycling. Consequently, the environment is showing signs of great stress, and our natural capital is being depleted and degraded to the point where future economic growth prospects and ability to maintain human life processes are in jeopardy.  The impact of drought conditions caused by El Nino is being exacerbated by seasonal water scarcity; water quality is declining from unsustainable agriculture practices and industrial production; degradation of watershed areas is impacting hundreds of thousands of persons in the region. Habitat loss and pollution is resulting in significant biodiversity loss. While per capita energy availability in the region is relatively low, most of the demand is still being met through fossil fuels. Pollution levels and the contribution of the region to climate change processes are therefore increasing. The impact of natural disasters such as the recent Tsunami is being exacerbated by environmental degradation.  

The most urgent challenge for the region is, therefore, to promote socio-economic growth for addressing poverty and at same time reduce the pressure on the natural environment caused by our unsustainable consumption and production patterns. This leads to a number of important policy implications.

As I noted in my statement to the Senior Officials, thanks to the sincere efforts of governments, the region has made significant progress in some areas; such as forest plantation rates have increased and the loss of forest cover has slowed. The consumption of ozone depleting substances has declined by some 65 per cent from 1995 to 2002. Air quality has improved in several cities. However, we need long term strategies to promote sustainable development, including increasing the ecological efficiency of our economies and reduce environmental pressures. As we have discussed at the Round Table, the policies necessary to improve eco-efficiency are multi-disciplinary and require the participation of all stakeholders. The role of the civil society and the private sector, in particular as key actors, must be supported. 

Environmentally sustainable economic growth or "Green Growth" requires policy shifts from the traditional approach, in particular in the integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. economic development, social development and environmental protection.

A range of policy approaches, tools and measures, including the use of a range of economic instruments, development of vibrant markets for environmental goods and services and promotion of investment in environmental infrastructure, must be adopted.  Just to cite an example, the construction of new highways to respond to demand for transportation (essentially a consumption activity) could be complemented, and in the long-term, supplemented by an environmentally sustainable policy that would focus on the development of mass transit facilities. Such policies, tools and measures must be tailored to fit the particular circumstances of each economy.

Mr. Chairman,

I am sure the distinguished delegates will share their views and policy perspective to develop appropriate strategies to address our common issues confronting sustainable development in the region.

Thank you for your kind attention.