Asean ministerial meeting on the environment
Developed nations urged: Give more funds
ASEAN environment ministers called on developed nations yesterday to provide more funding and help to enable less developed nations to address their environment and development problems.
Ending their two-day meeting here, the ministers also pledged to co-operate on "sustainable development" which takes into account environmental factors in development.
They affirmed the grouping's commitment to take part actively in international efforts to protect the world’s environment.
Developed countries were also urged to transfer and provide access to environmentally-sound technologies on concessional and preferential terms.
The call for more funding and access to technology was contained in the Common Stand, which Asean will present at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, to be held in Brazil in June.
One hundred countries and 300 non-governmental organizations are expected to attend the watershed event, also known as the Earth Summit.
The ministers also called for:
- URGENT measures to combat climate change. Developed countries should stabilize and limit the emission of gases which contribute to the "Greenhouse Effect" or global warming;
- IMMEDIATE implementation of the Montreal Protocol Interim Multilateral Fund, which calls for a quick transfer of environmentally-sound alternative technologies from developed countries to developing countries;
- THE protection of ocean and sea ecosystems from pollution;
- GREATER efforts to protect freshwater resources;
- SUSTAINABLE management of all forests. Countries have a right to develop their forests on a sustainable basis.
Developed countries should stop using unilateral measures to ban the import of tropical timber. They should also try to increase their own forest cover; and
- FUNDING to compensate developing countries for conserving their forests.
The ministers also agreed to a US proposal that would help the transfer of environmentally-sound technologies to the region.
The US-Asia Environmental Partnership aims to produce environmental training programmes, technology co-operation, infrastructure projects such as treatment plants for water and waste, and conservation programmes.
At a press briefing yesterday, the Environment Minister, Dr Ahmad Mattar, said that the ministerial meeting proceeded very smoothly and in the traditional spirit of Asean solidarity.
Indonesia’s Minister of State for Population and the Environment, Professor Dr Emil Salim, was asked about a proposed scheme to tackle pollution in the Straits of Malacca.
He replied that major user countries, such as Japan, may be asked to contribute financially or technologically to tackle pollution there.
Malaysia’s Minister for Science, Technology and the Environment, Mr. Law Hieng Ding, reiterated that his country would attend the UN summit only if there are signs that it would be a "meaningful one".
Added Dr Mattar: "We have a common stand. The summit is just a platform for our stand to be made known.
"We look at it as a historic opportunity for the world to resolve environmental problems — rather than have a North-South confrontation."
'Bandage' to steal tanker spills on display at technology show
FROM a "bandage" for containing tanker spills to special enzymes that have over 100 industrial applications, ranging from treating oil slicks to sewage waste.
These are some of the latest developments in environmental technology that are being exhibited at the Environmex-Asia/WatermexAsta 92 show at the World Trade Centre.
The "bandage", or tanker tourniquet, as it is called, is an Australian product designed to act as an emergency seal for ruptured storage and transport tanks.
The portable device, which can be stored in a vehicle, has a flexible backing plate bonded to a sponge-like material mounted on magnets or suction cups. This envelopes the crack and seals it.
Environment Minister Dr Ahmad Mattar, who opened the four-day exhibition yesterday, said that industries can help transfer environmental technology from developed countries to Asean by conducting their R & D activities and manufacturing operations in the region.
He said that with the proper transfer of skills and technology, Asean could improve a company’s competitiveness in the global market, while the region could benefit from the expertise, technology and lower costs.
He also said that Asean should establish common environmental standards to prevent companies from moving around to escape progressively stricter pollution controls.
He said: "To help chart the course for the regional effort, Asean can set long-term environmental emission goals for air and water quality, which the region can aim to achieve by the year 2010."
Asean Environment Ministers and senior officials and representatives of a United Nations Environment Programme committee on the destruction of ozone-depleting substances, who are holding meetings here, were also at the opening of the trade exhibition.
Among the more than 100 participating companies is a Japanese firm, Sankai Chemical, which is displaying a product called Bio 24, a composite of some 520 different enzymes developed over 35 years of research.
The enzymes, which come in powder or liquid form, digest fats, oils, cellulose, protein and other substances present in organic wastes and various chemicals and synthetic detergents.
The manufacturers claim that the enzymes have over 100 industrial applications in areas like urban sewage works, purifying waste water and battling oil pollution.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a two-day conference an the theme "It Pays to Manage Our Environment" will start today. Some 20 speakers will be presenting papers on pollution control, risk assessment, waste management and air pollution.
Source : The Straits Times, February 19, 1992
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