2014山大模联会议一委瑞士立场文件

Delegates: Haoran Wang, Zixuan Zhang
School: Shandong Normal University
Country: Swiss Confederation
Committee: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN-DESA Topic: Multi-sectoral Cooperation Framework in Developing Green Economy
The human race has entered a completely new stage in its history. With the increasingly rapid globalization and urbanization, more problems are brought to our attention such as the varieties of environmental problems. Thus, the Green Economy undeniably becomes the biggest concern of the present world. Many countries have made tremendous efforts to promote green economy, and made some strides in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. More than a hundred countries have adopted national sustainable development strategies, with active participation of the governments at various levels, the business community, NGOs and the general public. The concept of green economy is now accepted worldwide.
The United Nations, in the past 20 years, has spent many efforts in pursuing the green economy. Many international treaties on green economy were put into action. The UN Conference on Environment and Development held in 1992 was playing a momentous role in promoting green economy. The reports they synthesized has contributed to the publication of Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and provided key input to the negotiations that led to the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals.
Switzerland, which is one of the most wealthy confederation and a developed country with highest living standard, will take the responsibility of a UN member to provide paid assistances to every country in need. Switzerland not only regards technical transformation as a possible way to obtain benefits, but also take beneficial effects on the descendent into consideration. Countries in the world have common but differentiated responsibilities. We would like to develop friendships between developed and developing countries and develop technology of clean energy together.
We have just passed an amendment on the Law of Environment Protection. Besides the department of energy and environment, the ministry of transportation and communications was added to the editor’s list. According to the amendment, Swiss companies have to develop new green technologies to reach the standard of the pollution discharge. Also, new business opportunities in waste recycling can render a great help towards the establishment of the domestic energy saving market. Meanwhile, over 10000 job opportunities will be provided by the end of the 2015, when the new amendment is carried out. As such, Switzerland is looking forward to working in close cooperation with members in European Union and sharing the experiences and techniques in improving the eco-construction and the eco-environment.
Nevertheless, there is a huge imbalance in the economic and social development of different regions. Meanwhile, the trend toward ecological degradation and environmental pollution has yet to be fundamentally reversed. Many developing countries are confronted with difficulties such as serious shortages of finance, technology and capacity building. The international financial crisis, climate change and a host of other challenges have added to the
burden of these countries in their efforts to pursue green economy. It is high time for us to strengthen the development pillar of the world and inject new vigor and vitality into the global agenda of green economy.
As for the institutional framework for green economy, the suggestions of the Swiss government are as follows:
1. Adhere to the principle of integrating the three pillars, namely, economic development, social development and environmental protection. The international community should focus on the objectives of green economy, harmonize economic, social and environmental factors, and push for all-round, balanced, coordinated and sustainable development.
2. Adhere to the principle of government-driven, with broad participation of various stakeholders. In the process of promoting green economy, government plays an irreplaceable role. In the meantime, the extensive and in-depth participation of the civil society, private sector, business community and other major groups are also necessary.
3. Agenda 21 should serve as a basic framework to comprehensively strengthen governance at the international, regional, national and local levels. Countries should be encouraged to formulate comprehensive strategies, strengthen coordination among government departments, mobilize social participation and improve their capacity of implementation.
4. Developed countries should take the lead in changing their unsustainable ways of production, living and consumption, embark on the path of green development, and set a good example for developing countries. In the meantime, they should make vigorous efforts to help developing countries in their efforts to develop green economy, including provision of finance, transfer of technology, capacity building, and expansion of market access. Developing countries should formulate and implement sustainable development strategies suited to their national conditions.
5. It is necessary to give full play to the core leadership and coordinating role of the United Nations. The functions of the United Nations to provide policy guidance and coordination should be strengthened so as to guide, coordinate and harmonize the actions of relevant agencies, multilateral institutions and treaty bodies and engage them in the process of developing green economy.
6. The international financial institutions, the WTO and multilateral development banks should incorporate green economy into their plans and programs and work in coordination with the relevant UN agencies to form synergy and strike a greater balance between the environment and development.
Although the problem of global warming remains to be unresolved until today, the Swiss Government believes the potential to settle it, as long as all nations take strong actions now. Delay would be dangerous. Despite there are a lot of barriers to get through, Switzerland will never give up to make efforts to develop green economy and hopes that all countries can stick to their promise and finally achieve the permanent goal. With the joint efforts, a better ecological environment is predictable.。