MESSAGE OF THE
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO THE FOURTH
PAN-EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS,
"ENVIRONMENT FOR EUROPE"
23 June 1998
(Delivered on his behalf by Mr. Yves Berthelot,
Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Europe)
Aarhus, Denmark, 23-25 June 1998
It gives me pleasure to greet all who have gathered for this
ministerial conference on the environment. I would like to
express my appreciation to Prime Minister Poul Rasmussen and
the Government of Denmark for their role in making this gathering
possible, and in particular for focussing attention on a subject
of such central importance.
Environmental threats -- from pollution of our air to
overfishing in the seas, and from hazardous wastes to
deforestation -- are quintessential "problems without
passports", which is how I describe challenges that
transcend borders. No nation is immune; no nation can address
such issues on its own; and no nation is exempt from the risks of
doing without the benefits of international cooperation. In
short, if we are to solve the world's environmental problems we
need "blueprints without borders".
I am pleased that the "Environment for Europe"
process has developed into such an impressive framework for
dialogue and collaboration on matters relating to the
environment. Indeed, your efforts here in the region of the UN
Economic Commission for Europe -- for example in promoting more
efficient use of energy and other resources -- are setting
important examples for other regions of the world.
I have been especially heartened by the innovative approach
you have taken in opening up environmental decision-making to the
general public. The new Convention on Access to Information,
Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental
Matters constitutes a milestone in increasing transparency and
participatory possibilities in the environmental arena. It will
help put an end to environmental secrecy, promote democracy and
protect the right of everyone to live in a healthy environment.
The strong involvement of non-governmental organizations in
the preparation of the Convention is another noteworthy and
commendable feature of the agreement. It is my hope that as many
governments as possible in the ECE region and beyond --
since the Convention is open to non-ECE member countries -- will
take the necessary steps to accede to and implement this valuable
new international legal instrument.
The Convention is one among several signs of progress along
the road from the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro six years
ago. Major conventions on climate change, biodiversity and
desertification have entered into force. The phasing out of CFCs
is almost complete in the industrial countries. But we have not
yet reached the critical mass needed for long-term impact. The
United Nations is working to introduce new ideas and methods
into global efforts towards truly sustainable development. But we
must go further.
The ECE region has significant responsibility in this regard.
It is the region which has most polluted our planet, but it is
also the region which has made the greatest efforts to protect
the environment through institutional measures, technological
progress and other steps. As the "Environment for
Europe" process continues to play a key role in these
efforts, I wish you every success in your important
deliberations.