VIENTIANE (Xinhua): The 17th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Environment kicked off on Wednesday (Aug 22) in the Lao capital Vientiane, with an aim to discuss an advanced regional environmental cooperation and integration to achieve the 2030 Agenda's goals for sustainable development.
The ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will examine how the framework for environmental cooperation has been implemented, with a focus on climate change, chemicals and waste, biological diversity, and fostering collaboration for environmentally friendly and sustainable development, Lao Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bounkham Vorachit, said at the opening ceremony.
The meeting will review the progress and achievements of Asean Cooperation on Environment and seven environmental strategic priorities of the working groups under Asean Senior Officials on Environment and the works of the Governing Board of the Asean Center for Biodiversity.
They will also discuss further cooperative activities, make recommendations, and propose a solution for advancing the Asean framework for environmental cooperation.
The Asean region is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, which has good conditions for the socio-economic development of Asean member countries.
But over the past several decades, Asean has experienced many catastrophes, such as climate change, flooding, and pollution, which have greatly affected the environment and people's lives, said Bounkham.
She expressed her hope that with the determination, efforts and responsibility of the delegates, the meeting would reach an agreement and propose an accurate, effective and practical policy to address environmental concerns in the region.
