Brazilian FM calls for
creation of new UN
environment watchdog
Brazilian Foreign
Minister Celso Amorim
Monday urged the
creation of a new United
Nations body to tackle
environmental challenges
facing the whole world.
"Additional efforts from
all countries will be
necessary. The
increasing amount of
scientific evidence on
climate change
underlines the need for
urgent and effective
measures," Amorim said
at a meeting on
environmental protection
and sustainable
development.
A new world body within
the framework of the
United Nations should be
set up to take over
environmental, economic
and social challenges in
efforts to protect the
environment, and to
provide more support for
developing countries, he
said.
He cited the example of
cooperation between
China and Brazil in
satellite monitoring of
the Amazon rain forests
to stress the importance
of technological
cooperation.
Deforestation in Brazil
has been reduced by 70
percent in the past
three years with this
measure, Amorim said.
The minister also cited
Brazil's achievements in
the field of bio-fuels
as a form of clean and
renewable energy.
Some nations are taking
too long to adopt
environmental
resolutions endorsed at
international forums and
summits, such as the
Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change and
the Kyoto Protocol, the
minister said.
The two-day ministerial
environmental meeting
opened Monday in Rio de
Janeiro, attended by
representatives from 22
nations and the UN. |
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