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Joint Press Statement The Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment
Selangor, 18-19 June 1990 |
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Malaysia hosted the Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME), in Subang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia on 18-19 June 1990. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Datuk Amar Stephen K.T. Yong, the Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia.
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The Meeting was attended by H.E. Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Dr. Hj. Ismail bin Pengiran Hj. Damit, Minister of Development of Brunei Darussalam; H.E. Prof. Dr. Emil Salim, the Minister of State for Population and the Environment of the Republic of Indonesia: H.E. Datuk Amar Stephen K.T. Yong, the Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment of Malaysia, H.E. Dr. Celso Roque, the Under-Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Maftar, the Minister for the Environment of the Republic of Singapore, and H.E. Prachuab Chaiyasan, the Minister of Science, Technology and Energy of the Kingdom of Thailand. Mr. Theng Chye Yam, Director Bureau III of the ASEAN Secretariat, attended on behalf of the Secretary-General.
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Among the major decisions of the Fourth AMME were the launching of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN), adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Accord on Environment and Development and the adoption of common ASEAN stand on major global environmental issues in preparation for ASEAN's participation at future Ministerial meetings such as the forthcoming Ministerial Level Conference on the Environment for Asia and the Pacific and the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. A copy of the Kuala Lumpur Accord on Environment and Development is attached.
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The establishment of ASOEN signifies the importance which ASEAN attaches to environmental concerns and the region's interest to play a greater role in mitigating global environmental problems. ASOEN would contribute towards the strengthening of ASEAN cooperation in the exchange of information, technology, resources and manpower in dealing with international environmental concerns. ASOEN was also mandated to help ensure the integration of environmental dimensions in the decisions of other ASEAN Committees.
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Six Working Groups under the Chairmanship of the respective ASEAN member countries were established. They are namely :
(i) ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation (ANC);
(ii) ASEAN Working Group on ASEAN Seas and Marine Environment;
(iii) ASEAN Working Group on Transboundary Pollution;
(iv) ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Management;
(v) ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Economics; and
(vi) ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Information, Public Awareness and Education.
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The ASEAN Environment Ministers stressed that, the linkages of environmental concerns with the developmental needs of countries cannot be ignored. Also that our common responsibility towards the future of mankind would require effective, common actions for the protection of the environment. Such actions must be based on an equitable sharing of responsibilities which takes into account existing asymmetries between developed and developing countries.
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The Kuala Lumpur Accord reaffirms ASEAN's commitment to the pursuit of sustainable development. It stresses the need for closer cooperation between the member countries of ASEAN in particular and global cooperation in general in the pursuit of sustainable development. The Accord would contribute towards ASEAN's preparation for the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development.
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In the pursuit of environmental conservation and sustainable development, developing countries would not only require considerable manpower and economic resources but would also have to forego economic and developmental opportunities. It is therefore essential that developed countries recognise the needs of the developing countries and assist the latter through the transfer of environmentally sound technology and contribute towards appropriate funding mechanisms established to assist the developing countries.
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The Fourth AMME noted the difficulties encountered by the developing countries in their negotiations on international conventions on the environment. As ASEAN member countries are likely to be adversely affected by these conventions, the Fourth AMME stressed that ASEAN member countries should take a greater role in the formulation of these international conventions through consultations and coordinated efforts.
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The ASEAN Environment Ministers agreed on the following ASEAN common stand on major environmental issues :
(i) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer the need for, and the commitment of, developed countries for the transfer of technology and the provision of financial assistance should be the first major item for deliberation on the proposed amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
(ii) Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal: greater emphasis should be placed on issues relating to the responsibilities of exporting countries to re-import wastes and on the liability and compensation for damage resulting from transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous wastes.
(iii) Proposed Climate Change Convention: formation of a working group is recommended to assess the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of global warming and the implications of the proposed Convention to the ASEAN region.
(iv) Biological Diversity: to place emphasis on the need to consider issues on poverty and development as well as compensation in the proposed International Legal Instrument on the Conservation of Biological Diversity of the Planet.
The ASEAN Environment Ministers were of the view that ASEAN Resolution and Declarations on the Environment previously issued at ASEAN Environment Ministers; Meetings and the Langkawi Declaration on the Environment were forward looking documents and their elements should be reflected in the outcome of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development.
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