Brussels, 10/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - On her return from Japan where she took part in the G8 meeting of environment ministers (Otsu, 7-9 April), European Commissioner Margot Wallström expressed her satisfaction about the commitments taken by the environment ministers of the eight most industrialised countries of the world in favour of sustainable development. Their obvious determination to achieve results guaranteeing the integrity of the Kyoto Protocol and its environmental targets, during the next negotiating conference on climate change (COP6, The Hague in November), and to move on from intentions to action during the next United Nations Conference on sustainable development, in 2002 (Rio + 10), were welcomed by Ms Wallström who also stressed the importance of tackling the eradication of poverty in developing countries, in the knowledge that there will not be sustainable development at global level unless environmental protection goes hand in hand with the economic development of these countries.
We give below the main results achieved: 1) Climate change: The participants made a strong commitment to give the COP6 the political impetus required to allow ratification of the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible and to enforce it by 2002 at the latest for most countries '(failing unanimity on this subject). They will ensure that environmental integrity, the credibility of targets and the effectiveness and profitability of measures will be safeguarded. While stressing the need for more effort on the part of all countries (developed and developing) to reach the final goal of the Convention, they reaffirmed that the responsibility for fighting against climate change is incumbent upon industrialised countries first and foremost. 2) Rio + 10: The participants felt that the eradication of poverty should take a priority position in the preparation of the conference that they hope to organise in one of the developing countries. They called for representation of the various countries at the very highest level (heads of state or government) and stressed the importance of participation by the civil society (citizens and companies). 3) Environment and health: Participants recalled that their policies must be based on the precautionary principle and tackle as a priority the protection of children, pregnant women and other categories of the population that are vulnerable to environmental degradation. They pledged to promote the sharing of information among themselves on risks linked to dangerous chemical substances, which is one of the main concerns of citizens.