Regional Dialogue for Addressing Environmental Issues
June 28, 2010 8:48
Anatoliy Dernovoy – Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan answers questions about the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (MCED-6), which will be held from September 27 to October 2, 2010 in Astana.
1. What is the main objective of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (MCED-6)?
The Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific (MCED-6) will be held in Kazakhstan. I think it is very important that the Conference will be associated with a new approach and new understanding of the problems in the field of environmental protection. If the Seoul Conference clearly defined their national interests, the Sixth Conference of Ministers of the Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific and Astana initiative aim to build a “Green bridge” between Asia, the Pacific region and Europe.
Building a bridge between Asia and the Pacific is not just the attachment of certain resources and technology, in order to obtain donor support and assistance, but also to unite efforts to solve environmental problems in the Asia-Pacific region. This will be a trigger mechanism to address issues relating to the environment, both at national and international levels. It is not enough to solve the problem today only through foreign grants and international loans. It is necessary to take advantage of new technologies to connect our resources. Only this will solve the problem of national and regional environmental protection. I believe that the experience of building a bridge of cooperation will help speed up resolutions of major environmental problems in the region.
2. How important is the organization of regional dialogue among the various social structures to address environmental issues?
The level of understanding of public organizations about the harmful effects of manufacturing on the environment depends upon the dialogue shaping between State structures of governance and the business sector (which determines the level of economic development). Following the principles of sustainable economic growth, policies must be implemented in an environmentally responsible and socially equitable manner. Without coordination there is no right solution. “Green economy” and environmentalism must work together to find a solution to manufacturing. If they are not coordinated with one another there will be damages to the environment. They must work together to answer difficult questions about minimizing manufacturing damages and what steps to take to restore the natural balance. There are, of course, the principled positions of non-governmental organizations, experts and specialists who understand the problem. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan actively cooperates with non-governmental organizations. We understand the necessity of this joint platform for discussion, and how to make correct decisions in the future.
3. What is the importance of civil society participation in the Conference?
The Civil Society Forum is an official parallel event of the Conference, promoting the leading role of civil society and public participation in decision-making and promotion of eco-efficiency. Civil society could play an important role as an active partner of the Government in promoting the theme “Green Growth”. While governments are responsible for implementing standards and policies, it is essential to ensure their acceptance by the public.
To prepare and hold the Forum, the civil society initiated the establishment of a working group that brought the most active and prominent civil society representatives from Asia-Pacific and European regions with experience of activism to the Aarhus Convention.
The Conference “Astana-2010″ is a platform to discuss current environmental issues and decision-making. There are no restrictions – but the discussion should take place under the theme of the Conference. Any non-governmental organization will have the opportunity to express their position. It is important to, as widely as possible; discuss problems in order to find the most precise and correct decisions. It is important that there or no mistakes in these decisions, because they would be very detrimental. At this time, we are working to mobilize resources to ensure civil society participation in the Conference “Astana-2010″.
4. What is the role of the business community in the process of constructing a “Green Bridge”?
The Business-Forum, as well as Civil Society Forum, is an official parallel event of the Conference. It will present successful projects and programs in the field of environmental protection and development of the business community in the framework of the corporate social responsibility. This forum will have officials of Kazakhstan, as the host country, representatives of Pacific countries, business communities, non-governmental, and international organizations. The foremost topic of the Business-Forum is the theme of “Green and competitive”. The business sector has things to discuss and present to governments, as well as it has things to share in terms of experience. Such as; high productivity – free, closed production cycles, the main innovative approaches to the business sector in response to green policies and standards of governments as well as, the answer to being green while keeping the market in competitive demand for consumers.
The Astana initiative should become a major focus of discussion in the framework of the Business-Forum and follow-up for the business community.
Interest in the initiative will provide a real opportunity to achieve its goal – sharing of green innovation and best practices, and overcoming prejudices about non-competitiveness of environmental sustainability. Presently, I do not think that businesses decide solely on their own welfare and financial issues. Businessmen are interested in ensuring that their business is a stable profit not only financially, but that it would also create the necessary conditions which enable businessmen today to be active and socially responsible citizens of society. Currently, businesses operate under strict environmental requirements. These conditions require them to use the most advanced technologies in the creation of material resources and wealth which is not through the use of non-renewable natural resources, but due to the use of new technologies and new approaches to production.
Participation in the Business-Forum at the Conference is open to all interested parties to discuss the theme “Green Growth”, i.e. eco-efficiency and environmental sustainability of economic growth. This is not just a Business-Forum, discussing issues of economy and production, but consideration of specific questions on the use of new technologies that reduce the cost of production, minimization of hazardous materials and the cost of processing waste. These issues are relevant today, since many producers dump industrial wastes, persistent organic pollutants, and poisonous and toxic substances into the environment. The business sector is interested in using new technologies, and conserving resources in order to reduce the costs for emissions in the environment.
Imposing penalties for the manufacturing sector’s emissions into the environment increased the national budget in 2009 by 76 billion tenge. However, the task of the Ministry of Environmental Protection is not imposing penalties, but to maximize the stimulation of the business sector. This is accomplished by encouraging producers to ensure that they have use technologies, which reduce emissions into the environment by. Today, many companies have already announced their participation in the Business-Forum, desiring to organize a side-event into the framework of the Conference, to demonstrate new technologies and achievements. They will also participate in the Exhibition of the Conference including the tri-partite debates and cross-sectored dialogue.
I hope that representatives of the business sector are interested in discussing such issues and will be able to do so in the context of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in the Asia-Pacific region.