China and Norway eye closer eco-partnership
Highlights of the first meeting between environment ministers in Oslo in April
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-23 07:57
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The following is a summary of the first annual meeting between the environment ministers of China and Norway in Oslo on April 23, 2009.
The first Coordinators Meeting under the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation between the Ministry of the Environment of Norway (MOE) and the Ministry of Environment Protection of the People's Republic of China (MEP) was held in Oslo 23 April 2009.
The first Coordinators meeting was the result of a revised MoU, where it was agreed to establish annual meetings between coordinators at DG level.
Prior to the meeting, a study-trip to Svalbard was arranged, with the aim of seeing and learning more about how climate change and long range pollutants affect the Arctic region.
The participants at the meeting in Oslo noted the constructive and good cooperation between Norway and China over almost 14 years.
The cooperation has been useful for both parties and has resulted in a common understanding and strengthened capacity for dealing with important environmental challenges.
It was stated that annual meetings could be used to discuss policy areas of common interests, issues on the international agenda and to give policy guidance for further environmental cooperation between the two countries.
Major items on the agenda were:
Exchange of views on status and challenges in international Conventions and Negotiations especially with regard to negotiations on biodiversity (including the interlinkage between biodiversity and climate change), persistent organic pollutants and mercury. The UNEP decision on launching negotiations on mercury was addressed.
Other areas for discussion were Air Pollution and Climate Change, China Council (CCICED) and Trade and Environment.
Guidance on areas for future bilateral cooperation:
It was agreed that areas of cooperation within air and water pollution and chemical management should continue having a high priority.
In addition, coordinated policies on air pollution and climate change, the interlinkage between biodiversity and climate change and trade and environment were identified as areas of priority for further work. Environmental capacity building in the western part of China was raised as an important area for focus.
The work of the China Council was appreciated. Low Carbon Economy was especially addressed and the possibility for bilateral cooperation within this area was raised.
MEP and MoE agreed also to arrange a bilateral workshop in China about POPs and to consider the possible secondment of a Chinese expert to the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Both parties agreed to have closer contacts at expert level between Norway and China in negotiations on POPs and Mercury and biodiversity.
(China Daily 12/23/2009 page12)
