Ha Noi, 8 October 2008
Mr. Nicholas T. Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General at the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment presented this evening the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City (ESC) Award to ten cities/townships/districts in ASEAN that have made exemplary efforts towards environmental sustainability. The Ministers hoped that the Award, awarded for the first time, will motivate other cities to share best practices and to make even greater efforts to achieve high standards of environmental sustainability.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan in his message for the event stated that “each city that received the Award tells a compelling story of how it has placed environment and nature at the core of city planning, the challenges it faced, and its resolve to ensure the cities remain environmentally sustainable as it develops and modernizes.” He further added that apart from just recognizing their exemplary efforts, the richness of their experience in varied circumstances tells us that there are different models and paths to urbanization and environmental stewardship.
The Ministers supported the “Cool ASEAN, Green Capitals Initiative” proposed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to encourage efforts by the ASEAN capital cities and other major cities to mitigate climate change through addressing the everyday urban issues faced such as waste management, transportation, creating more green areas and conservation of energy.
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment met on 8 October 2008 on the occasion of the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, and the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The ASEAN Ministers will also meet with their counterparts from the People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea at the 7th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting on 9 October 2008, and Australia, India and New Zealand at the Inaugural East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting.
Media Release
List of Cities that Received the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award 2008
- Brunei Darussalam: Temburong District
- Cambodia: Municipality of Phnom Penh
- Indonesia: Palembang City
- Lao PDR: Luang Prabang District
- Malaysia: North Kuching City Hall
- Myanmar: Taungyi City
- Philippines: Puerto Princesa City
- Singapore: South West Community Development Council
- Thailand: Bangkok City
- Viet Nam: Ha Long City
The View of Palembang City from the top of Mayor's Office on Merdeka Street
