..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date: 28 August 2009
Note to Editor: N/23//2009

South-East Asian Governments Learn about Green Growth at UN Seminar

UN and UK partner to hold carbon neutral training session for officials

Bangkok (UN/ESCAP Information Services) -- Government ministry representatives from throughout South-East Asia will gather in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, from 31st August and 5th September, to learn how to implement low-carbon green growth solutions in response to the current economic, climate, and environmental crises.

The green growth capacity development seminar will gather 45 officials from a variety of government ministries through out the region. It is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in partnership with the British Government, China Standard Certification Center and Regional Help Desk on Sustainable Consumption and Production for Asia and the Pacific, as part of an ongoing series aimed at government decision-makers.

The seminar will allow participants to engage in an intense six days of learning that will encompass the exchange of country experiences, cross ministerial mock negotiations and exercises on policy formulation as well as considering the conclusions of the Asian Development Bank report on the economics of climate change in South East Asia.

Specific topics will include low-carbon green growth, sustainable consumption and production, greening business and markets, sustainable infrastructure, green-tax and green budget reform, and eco-efficiency. The participants will also have the opportunity to view first hand sustainable business practices.

“Our message of low-carbon green growth can only remain credible when we actually walk the talk by supporting green businesses, eco-tourism and low-carbon solutions in our own procurement decisions,” said Mr. Masakazu Ichimura, Chief of Environment and Development Section of ESCAP.

The meeting will take place in the Comsaed River Kwai eco-resort, located in the hills of Kanchanaburi close to the famous river Kwai. Showcasing biogas digesting, rainwater harvesting, recycling, and organic rice farming, the hotel serves as a good example of how businesses can profitably contribute towards climate change mitigation, environmental conservation and livelihoods.

“The UK is delighted to be sponsoring this training course, which will give governments the practical tools to plan the transformation to a low carbon society,” said John Pearson, head of the British Government’s regional network on climate change.

The event will be made carbon neutral by offsetting emissions from travel, board and lodging with the organization Plant-A-Tree-Today.org.

Contact information:

Mr. Masakazu Ichimura
Chief, Environment and Development Policy Section (EDPS)
Environment and Development Division (EDD), ESCAP
Tel.: +66-2-2881455; Fax: +66-2-2881025
E-mail: ichimura@un.org