UPDATE -ASEAN ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION CENTER (CAEC) February, 2011 Issue 2

【ASEAN-China Cooperation Activities】

Ninth ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministerial Meeting The Ninth ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministerial Meeting was held on 14 October 2010 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Darussalam. The environment ministerial officials from ASEAN Member States (AMS), China, and Republic of Korea as well as the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Secretariat attended the meeting. The Ninth ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministerial Meeting reviewed existing cooperation and put forward proposals for cooperation between the ASEAN and its three partners in the environment field. The Chinese delegation presented the progress of environmental cooperation between China and ASEAN, including the establishment of China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Center and the implementation of China-ASEAN Strategy on Environmental Protection Cooperation.

Second East Summit (EAS) Environment Ministerial Meeting On 15 October 2010, the Second Summit (EAS) Environment Ministerial Meeting was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The environment ministerial officials from ASEAN Member States (AMS), China, Japan, Republic of Korea, , and , as well as the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Secretariat attended the meeting. The Second (EAS) Environment Ministerial Meeting adopted the Ministerial Statement of the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) Environment Ministerial Meeting, and proposed to strengthen cooperation on Sustainable City, Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change and other fields. The Chinese delegation stated that China would like to share with East Asian countries experiences on eco-friendly cities and environmental protection pilot cities, and enhance South-South cooperation.

Chinese Premier Made Proposals on China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation On 28-30 October 2010, at the 13th China-ASEAN Summit, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stated that “ the two sides should, in keeping with the ASEAN-China Strategy on Environmental Cooperation, work out an action plan at an early date, give full play to the role of the China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Centre, explore the possibility of launching the ASEAN-China Green Envoy Program, and take solid steps to push forward our exchanges and cooperation in circular economy, green economy, energy conservation and environmental protection.” Issue 2 February, 2011

ASEAN-China Leaders’ Joint Statement on Sustainable Development

The ASEAN-China Leaders’ Joint Statement on Sustainable Development was adopted at the 13th ASEAN-China Summit on 29 October 2010. In the Statement, the leaders affirmed to “Support the role of the ASEAN-China Environmental Protection Cooperation Centre, actively implement the ASEAN- China Environmental Protection Cooperation Strategy 2009-2015, in particular, cooperation in such fields as biodiversity and ecological conservation through engagement with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, cleaner production, environmental education and awareness to support the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan 2008-2015 (AEEAP) as well as environmentally sustainable cities, and work together for harmonious development between man and nature.”

ASEAN-China Seminar on Green Industry Development and Cooperation

The ASEAN-China Seminar on Green Industry Development and Cooperation was held in Beijing, China, on 25- 26 November 2010. The Seminar was co-organized by the Ministry of Environment Protection of China (MEP) and the ASEAN Secretariat, and implemented by the China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Center (CAEC). With a focus on the policy dialogue and experience sharing on green industry development, as well as on the way forward of regional cooperation in this field between ASEAN and China, the Seminar was attended by around 120 government officials, experts and business executives from ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN member states (, , Lao PDR, , , , , and Viet Nam) and China, as well as representatives from international organizations such as UNEP, UNIDO, ADB, and development partners such as SIDA and IGES, and some important NGOs such as WWF. With the active participation of all delegates, the two-day seminar reached its objectives, i.e. sharing information and experience among policy makers, experts, business people and other relevant stakeholders. The Seminar came up with a set of recommendations for promoting China-ASEAN cooperation on green industry.

Fifth Semi-Annual Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Environment (WGE) The Fifth Semi-Annual Meeting of the GMS WGE was held on 29-30 November 2010 in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. The representatives from GMS WGE member states, potential donors and cooperation partners attended the conference, including Asian Development Bank (ADB), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Foreign Ministry of Finland, French Development Agency, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Global Greengrants Fund (GGF), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), UNEP, WWF, World Conservation Union, Mekong River Commission, etc. MEP sent a delegation to attend the conference. The Fifth Semi-Annual Meeting of the GMS WGE carried out in-depth discussions on the second phase planning of the Core Environment Program (CEP), and made pre-arrangements for the Third GMS Environment Ministers Meeting. Issue 2 February, 2011 【Information about CAEC】

ASEAN Delegates Visited CAEC On November 26, over 20 delegates from AMS and the ASEAN Secretariat who attended the ASEAN- China Seminar on Green Industry Development and Cooperation visited CAEC. Mr. Tang Dingding, Director General of CAEC met the delegates and briefly introduced CAEC including its organizational structure, staff members and the tasks. The delegates visited the offices and facilities of CAEC. With the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and other Chinese government agencies, CAEC was established in March 2010, and swiftly entered into operation. CAEC has established working relationship with the ASEAN Secretariat and a number of international organizations and development partners. CAEC welcomes other organizations to join its efforts in promoting China- ASEAN environmental cooperation. The ASEAN Delegates exchanged views with their CAEC colleagues on future environmental cooperation between China and ASEAN .

CAEC Organized a High-Level Workshop on Green Development A high-level green development workshop was organized by the CAEC in Beijing, China from 30 November to 4 December 2010 in Beijing, with the co-sponsorship of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) and the Ministry of Commerce of China. 36 officials from 22 cities around China attended the workshop. The workshop introduced theoretical and practical information on low carbon and green economy, including cutting-edge knowledge such as green development and carbon finance, green development and new strategic industries. During the workshop, the participants visited the Beijing Environment Bourse, and attended the Tripartite Green Economic Policy Seminar. Vice-Minister of Environmental Protection of China Inspected CAEC On December 12, H.E. Mr. Li Ganjie, Vice-Minister of Environmental Protection of China inspected CAEC. Mr. Tang Dingding, Director General of CAEC reported to the Vice-Minister on the establishment progress of CAEC, such as personnel, executive and logistical support, basic operating expenses, working conditions, progress of ASEAN-China environmental cooperation and work plan for the next year, etc.

Mr. Li Ganjie was satisfied with the progress that CAEC made. He encouraged CAEC staff to continue their efforts and by using this important platform effectively implement the proposals made by the leaders at the 13th China-ASEAN Summit, promote the environmental cooperation between China and ASEAN in a pragmatic manner.

For further information, please contact: Mr. Peng Bin Tel/Fax: +86-10-84615368 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.ChinaAseanEnv.org Address: No.1, Yuhuinanlu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, P.R.China