Ⅰ. Introduction
The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED, the Council) was established in 1992 with the approval of the Chinese Government to support cooperation between China and the international community in the fields of environment and development. The Council, composed of both Chinese and International Members who are invited by the Chinese Government and chaired by Vice-Premier of the State Council, is a non-profit body that supports the development of an integrated and coherent approach to environment and development and encourages close cooperation between China and other countries. It has so far undergone three Phases from 1992 to mid-2007. The 2007 Annual General Meeting held last November in Beijing marked the beginning of a new fourth phase of the Council (2007 – 2012).
The 17th National Party Congress of China held last October called for innovative strategic approaches to and policies on environment and development. In light of the “Three Transformations” set out in 2006 and the efforts made by the country during the first two years of the 11th Five Year Plan, the Council believes that China is now entering a period of strategic transformation for environment and development. While the transformation towards a “resource conserving and environmentally friendly society” is a long-term undertaking, China also needs to meet important short-term milestones, such as the environmental targets in the 11th Five Year Plan. It will be extremely difficult to achieve these targets given the current framework for environmental management, levels of investment, and pollution-intensive mode of economic growth.
How to promote China’s development with a scientific outlook in the coming 15-20 years is an enormous challenge facing China, the most populous country in the world. China needs to address pressing environment and development issues in an innovative way. At the same time, China’s industrialization and urbanization takes place against the backdrop of globalization. China’s environment and development process has been integrated into that of the world and, while China is presented with the new environmental challenges brought about by economic globalization, this process is also having an impact on both the regional and the global environment.
In recent years, the environment has become a matter of priority for business and communities in many countries, with climate change being the most prominent concern, and public awareness of governments’ positions on global environmental issues has been greatly raised. This has stimulated a considerable degree of public participation from all parts of the society. In addition to climate change, many other issues are receiving attention as well, including the need for a better understanding of the effects of globalization, and of the environmental implications of rapid growth in such countries as China and India.
It is clear that the entire world will benefit if China can harmonize economic and social development with the environment, and is successful in forging an environmentally friendly society. It is against this backdrop that the Council will hold its first Roundtable Meeting. During the Roundtable Meeting, an Enterprise Forum will be arranged.
Ⅱ. Objectives
CCICED’s Roundtable Meeting is designed to achieve the following:
1. To share major policy recommendations and other outputs of the Council with various stakeholders, especially policy makers from local governments and business communities.
2. To facilitate an open and topic-focused dialogue and discussion on the issues related to environment and development among policy makers, experts and business people within and outside China.
3. To assist in building bridges between public and private sectors, academia and policy makers, global and regional interests, as well as among new emerging economies like China and India, and to promote environment and sustainable development actions both at national and local levels.
Ⅲ. Target Participants
l Governmental officials from both central and local governments in China.
l A number of Chinese and International Council Members.
l Business/industry representatives from enterprises in China and other countries.
l Delegates from governments of other countries and international organizations.
l Chinese and international experts in relevant areas.