Bangkok--Jan 18--UNISBKK
The 19-20 January UN Regional
Implementation Meeting (RIM) for Asia and the Pacific will focus on energy use, industrial development, air pollution and climate change.
The 2006 Asia-Pacific RIM at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok will make major inputs for the fourteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD) in May.
UNESCAP Executive Secretary Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Director of the CSD Secretariat and Division for Sustainable Development Ms. JoAnne DiSano, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Royal Thai Government, H.E. Mr. Kitti Limskul, Vice-Chair of CSD, Mr. Javad Aminmansour, Islamic Republic of Iran
will join over 100 representatives from government and non-government organizations from across the region.
The current pattern of economic growth poses a major threat to environmental sustainability in Asia and the Pacific region. The challenge is how to continue economic growth for poverty reduction without compromising environmental sustainability.
"The Asia-Pacific region has huge disparities in adherence to sustainable
development. Despite high economic growth, the extent of poverty in many countries remains a matter of great concern," Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Mr. Kim Hak-Su said.
"The region is experiencing serious and increasing ecological imbalances
resulting in higher levels of air and water pollution, forest and coastal ecosystem degradation, soil erosion, fresh water flow alterations, and problems in solid waste management. If we fail to act now, the price we pay tomorrow will be extremely serious," he said.
While industry and energy contribute immensely to social and economic
development, they are also main contributors to environmental challenges facing the region, including climate change and deteriorating air quality.
The RIM for Asia and the Pacific for CSD-14 is being organized by the UN
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with other United Nations organizations including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
In 1992, the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro adopted some landmark
agreements in an effort to promote development in countries in a manner that would not overburden the environment. In an effort to track the success of these agreements, the Commission on Sustainable Development was formed. End.