Beijing International Bamboo and Rattan Tower

9:30 a.m., 25 September 2008

Honorable Minister Jia Zhibang,

Your Excellency Ambassador Capunay,

Dear Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this golden season of autumn, I am delighted to meet you here in Beijing to jointly bear witness to the official launching of the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, and to discuss major issues concerning sustainable forest management.

At the 15th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Chinese President Hu Jintao proposed the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, with a view to strengthening cooperation, promoting forest rehabilitation and growth in the region and mitigating climate change. This cooperation initiative demonstrates the great importance the Chinese Government attaches to addressing climate change and deepening APEC cooperation and is well received and supported by APEC members. It has also been incorporated into the 2007 Sydney Leaders Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development. Thanks to the hard work of the China State Forestry Administration and other relevant agencies and the great support and cooperation of all parties concerned, Australia and the United States in particular, initial preparations for the establishment of the Network have been completed successfully and with high efficiency. Hereby, on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, let me offer our warm congratulations on the official launching of the Network.

Today, environmental protection and climate change have become major issues of global implication, as they pose challenges to the entire international community. Emission reduction through afforestation is an important measure to tackle climate change, and proper protection and scientific management of forest is of great immediate significance to the sustainable development of humanity. Forest rehabilitation and sustainable management in the Asia-Pacific, an area endowed with abundant forest resources, is conducive to reducing global warming and attaining the goals set in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. It also contributes to economic and social development and poverty alleviation of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.

It takes the collective efforts of the international community to address climate change and protect the home of all mankind. China stands ready to work with all parties concerned to facilitate international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region in addressing climate change. I wish to take this opportunity to share with you some observations on promoting the sound development of the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation.

First, follow a clear direction and fully tap our strengths. We should follow a clear direction and carry out focused cooperation while taking other sustainable forest management index systems in the world as references. We should give play to our own advantages and unique role and strengthen coordination and cooperation with other international and regional organizations and mechanisms.

Second, be pragmatic and respect differences. We should take into full account the actual conditions of different members at different levels of development and carry out cooperation programs that meet the real need of the region. We should focus on addressing practical issues and achieving tangible results to ensure the continued and more sustainable growth of the network.

Third, base ourselves on conditions of the Asia-Pacific and reach out to the world. The Network can work through the established mechanism of APEC to promote public awareness, expand its influence and draw the support and wide participation of all members. At the same time, we should also strengthen cooperation with other stakeholders.

Dear Guests,

APEC is the most influential economic cooperation forum in the region. China supports strengthening economic and technical cooperation, a major pillar of APEC cooperation. We also support efforts to strengthen the cohesiveness of APEC, to better enable all members, especially developing members to participate in opening up and competition, and achieve sustainable development. We shall make the best of the Network as a platform to enhance capacity building for APEC members in carrying out sustainable forest management and coping with climate change. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of APEC. The Chinese side wishes to take this opportunity to join all parties concerned and explore new ways to meet challenges, promote development and improve the well-being of people in the region.

To conclude, I wish this symposium a complete success.

Thank you!