STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. ASAD MAJEED KHAN, COUNSELLOR, PAKISTAN MISSION TO THE UN ON AIR/ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION, IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY MEETING (IPM) OF FIFTEENTH SESSION OF COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (CSD-15) (New York, 28 February 2007, Morning Session)

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to make this contribution on behalf of Group of 77 and China to our discussion on Air/Atmospheric Pollution. We thank the Panelists for their important presentations.

2.       Air/Atmospheric Pollution is a major challenge faced by the world today and impacts all of us in so many different ways. Importantly, our ability to effectively address air pollution is fundamental to our pursuit of promoting sustained economic growth and sustainable development, Our approach in dealing with pollution issues is, therefore, built around the high priority accorded by developing countries to economic growth and poverty eradication.

3.       The decisions concerning the fight against air/atmosphere pollution should be guided by the understanding that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development. In this context, G-77 reiterates the continuing relevance and importance of all the Rio principles, in particular principle 7 on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.

4.       The Chapter 9 of Agenda 21, the JPOI, and the Decision 9/2 adopted by the CSD-9 on “Protection of the Atmosphere”, outlines a clear roadmap of actions required at the international, regional and national levels, and indicate areas where international cooperation is required to effectively combat air/atmosphere pollution.

5.       Air pollution has serious negative impacts on human health, socio-economic development, ecosystems and cultural heritage. Urgent and effective actions are, therefore, required in regard to both indoor air pollution from traditional biomass cooking and heating and ambient air pollution from all sources. Indoor air pollution, we believe, must be accorded high priority, as it is in its worst form, a poverty-related manifestation.

6.       Air pollution is also increased by factors such as: natural disasters including volcanic eruptions, sand storms, desertification and land degradation, which cause health problems and disrupt peoples’ daily lives.

7.       Adequate policies must take into consideration the special needs of developing countries, particularly those in Africa, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.

8.       We would also like to emphasize the needs of countries emerging from conflict in the areas of capacity building, technical cooperation and infrastructure development.

Mr. Chairman,

9.       The most important and perhaps the most formidable task before us is to overcome the inadequacy of financial resources and to secure access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies.

10.     Similarly, we also need to address the challenges of substantial cost of monitoring and abatement technologies; lack of adequate funding to sustain and replicate successful demonstration projects; and lack of adequate scientific research capabilities on the health impacts of many pollutants.

Mr. Chairman,

11.     To address the challenges of Air/Atmospheric Pollution, we need to take actions at all levels. In this regard, Group of 77 and China suggest the following policy options for consideration by CSD-15:

12.     Firstly, we call for enhanced international cooperation that should enable developing countries to implement national plans and strategies through:

Mr. Chairman,

13.     Secondly, at the national level, taking into account their respective national priorities and circumstances, Governments should be encouraged to consider:

Mr. Chairman,

14.     It is our hope that the outcome of the IPM and eventually that of the CSD-15 will facilitate the implementation of policy options to reduce air pollution.

I thank you.