Bangkok--2 Oct--UNIS Bangkok The United Nations Economicand Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is holding aseminar to help Cambodia to adopt development policies which protect theenvironment without limiting economic growth. The seminar, which takes place from 1 to 4 October in Sihanoukville, isattended by senior policymakers including Mok Mareth, Senior Minister ofEnvironment, and Say Hak, Governor of Sihanoukville. Christer Holtsberg,Director of the Swedish Environment Secretariat for Asia (SENSA) of theEmbassy of Sweden in Thailand, is also attending. The workshop provides tools and approaches for the government to introducegreen tax and budget reforms which take into account environmental costs,develop sustainable infrastructure such as public transport, promotecleaner production and more sustainable consumption patterns, and developeco-efficiency indicators. All these policy measures are parts of the Green Growth approach promotedby UNESCAP. The rapid economic growth in Asia-Pacific has come at a highenvironmental price. The Green Growth approach points to the fact thateconomic growth and environmental protection need not be mutuallyexclusive; what is required is a paradigm shift, with governments movingaway from the current “grow first, clean up later” mentality. The seminar in Cambodia is the second in a series of five aimed at helpcountries in the Asia-Pacific region which have requested assistance indesigning and implementing Green Growth policies. The first took place inKazakhstan. These countries have acknowledged that the current focus onmeasuring development in terms of GDP growth is not enough, and there is acritical need to change the mindset and to embrace measures which takequality of life and well-being into consideration. More information is available at: http://www.greengrowth.org/ and www.unescap/esd/environment For further information on UNESCAP’s work on Green Growth, please contact: Environment and Sustainable Development Division, UNESCAP Tel: (662) 288 — 2250 E-mail: [email protected]