"On the question of how long this Council will exist, I can tell you that we will continue until the international community is satisfied with China's efforts towards environmental protection. This is not an easy task; it will require the effort of many generations, perhaps dozens. I will not be around by then, but the Council itself may be."

　　----- Premier Wen Jiabao

　　Speech when meeting with the representatives of CCICED AGM in November 2006

　　The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level, non-profit international advisory body established upon the approval of the Chinese Government in 1992. The main task of CCICED is exchanging and disseminating international successful experience in the field of environment and development; studying key environment and development issues in China, putting forward policy recommendations to the leaders of the Chinese Government and policy makers at all level, which are projecting, strategic and precautionary; supporting and facilitating the implementation of sustainable development strategy and development of a resource saving and environment-friendly society in China.

　　The objectives of CCICED are to:

　　1)  Provide strategic advice, policy recommendations and early policy warnings to the Chinese Government, in terms of ensuring the sustainable growth of China's national economy, protecting and preserving China's environment, ensuring the long-term supply and safety of energy and natural resources and promoting harmonious development between people and nature.

　　2)  Foster international cooperation between China and the international community on critical issues of environment and development, such as relevant planning, programs, scientific development, technology transfer, trainings, etc.

　　3)  Provide advisory service to the Chinese Government on important decision making in the fields of environment and development and assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of such decision-making.

　　4)  Provide the Chinese Government with international experience in the fields of environment and development in the context of globalization, information society and S&T innovations, and at the same time assist China in introducing its accomplishments and experience to other countries.

　　5)  Help to enhance China's capacity to accede to or implement international programs and to negotiate in international conventions aiming to alleviate global environmental problems.

　　6)　Play an advisory and assisting role in promoting public awareness and public participation in environmental protection and in training programs for officials at central and local government departments in order to enhance their awareness of policy-making on sustainable development.

　　"CCICED should carry forward the fine tradition by further playing the role of a multi-lateral international advisory mechanism. CCICED should organize domestic and international experts carefully and widely draw upon international experience. While choosing topics for research, some major issues concerning sustainable development should be considered, centering on China's objective and task of implementing Scientific Outlook on Development and building a socialist harmonious society. Only with this in mind can we make policy recommendations to the Chinese Government that are proactive, strategic and with feasibility."

　　----- Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, Chairperson of the Council

　　Speech at CCICED AGM in November 2006

　　Basic Introduction of CCICED 

　　History CCICED has successfully worked for three phases over the past 15 years since its establishment in 1992. The Chinese government has approved the Fourth Phase of CCICED (2007-2011). With re-election of CCICED members once in every five years, CCICED is composed of 40-50 Chinese and International Council Members in each phase. Around 170 Chinese and International Council Members have served CCICED during the First, Second and Third phases of CCICED. The Chairperson of CCICED is the leader of the State Council, China.

　　Work Mechanism CCICED establishes Task Forces and Special Policy Studies that work on key issues on environment and development in China and put forward policy recommendations based on their findings. It holds Annual General Meeting every year at which Council Members listen to the report on policy study findings, present their comments and finalize the policy recommendations to the Chinese Government. During the AGM, the leader of the State Council attends the meeting and meets with CCICED Members to listen their policy recommendations. CCICED Policy Recommendations are reported in written to the State Council, relevant government departments and local governments as a reference for decision-making, and many of the policy recommendations have been adopted. In addition, CCICED extensively disseminates its outcomes by such activities as roundtable meeting and establishment of partnerships.

　　Outcomes CCICED has established dozens of policy study projects (Task Forces and Special Policy Studies) involving many fields targeting environment and development issue over the past 15 years. These research projects cover such topics as energy strategy, pollution control, biodiversity, environment & economy, environment & trade, clean production, environmental investment & financing mechanism, circular economy, agriculture & rural areas, watershed integrated management, sustainable urbanization strategy, environmental governance, environment & natural resource pricing and eco-compensation mechanism. Several hundreds of Chinese and international experts have taken part in those research activities and put forward a range of important policy recommendations, many of them have been adopted by the Chinese government.

　　Unique Role At the invitation of the Chinese Government, high lever leaders from other countries and famous international experts, scholars put forward their recommendations on key issues of environment and development, which may be adopted by the Chinese authority. In this regard, CCICED has made unique contribution to economic growth and environmental protection of China and played an active role. Providing a platform, CCICED facilitates international communities to understand, pay attention and support to environmental protection cause of China by open and candid dialogue between high-level Chinese officials and international VIPs. By opening a window, CCICED introduces international experience in sustainable development into China. By building a bridge, CCICED facilitates international communications on environment and development of China.

　　Future Projection CCICED Phase IV (2007-2011) will continuously carry out its overall goal, introduce and absorb international advanced experience and policies in the implementation of sustainable development, facilitate China achieving historic transformation in environmental protection in China with the aim of scientific development. In the future, CCICED will put more emphasis on major environment and development issues confronting China when it is engaged in the development of a resource saving and environment-friendly society and strives for achieving the well off society in 2020. It will pay more attention to the interactions between the environment and development of China with that of the world, the challenge in addressing global environmental problems including climate change and conservation of eco system and continuously play active role in creating a clean, safe and sustainable future and the harmony between man and nature.

　　Partnership International communities have continuously support the work of CCICED since its establishment. They include countries, international organizations, NGOs and transnational companies such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Britain, Switzerland, Japan, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, France, Denmark, EU, UNEP, UNDP, WB, ADB, WWF, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Shell, Environmental Defense, Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, which provide financial support to CCICED in various ways. Chinese government departments including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NDRC, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, other departments and Chinese partners have paid high attention and gave important support to CCICED over the past years.

　　Council Members of CCICED Phase IV (as of November, 2008)