APEC Environment Ministers’ meeting opens in Khabarovsk

An analysis of key environmental issues was delivered today by scientific and technical experts during the opening of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Environment Meeting in Khabarovsk, laying the groundwork for the advancement of policy approaches that improve environmental protection and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The analysis sets the stage for the gathering of APEC Ministers in Khabarovsk on Wednesday who are pursuing practical initiatives that address environmental protection and conservation, in the context of APEC’s strategy for promoting sustainable growth.

Collectively, such initiatives support APEC’s 2012 priorities, guided by Russia as chair, to strengthen trade and investment, economic integration, food security, innovation and supply chains.

“The very fact that our meeting is taking place after the Rio+20 environment conference provides continuity in our efforts to save the environment,” said Nuritdin Inamov, APEC Ministers Responsible for Environment Meeting Chair.

“We gather to have open discussion of the environmental concerns we are all facing and to work out solutions.”

The meeting is focusing on the conservation of biological diversity and natural heritage sites,

including management of special protected natural areas; ‘green growth’; trans-boundary watercourses and sustainable management of water resources; sustainable use of natural resources; and trans-boundary air pollution, and measures on mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Expert analysis providing context for the cooperative development of economically value-adding environmental policy in the APEC region will continue on Tuesday.

The complete results of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Environment Meeting will be reported to the 2012 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vladivostok on 8-9 September.

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For more information, please contact David Hendrickson (in Russia) +65 9371 8901 at [email protected] or Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at [email protected].

More details about APEC’s 2012 priorities and initiatives for the year can be found on www.apec.org or www.apec2012.ru.

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