Other Important Cooperation Activities at International Level

T.R. Baalu participated in the India Session of the Biennial Environment Conference and Trade Show Globe 2000 held at Vancouver, Canada on 23rd March 2000. In his address, he presented an overview of the Environment scenario in 50 years of independent India. From Ganga Action Plan to air pollution in urban India to Hazardous Waste Management with focus on Bio-medical Waste Minister Baalu explained how his government has been addressing these issues. He sought the cooperation of Canada in technology transfer to India in hazardous and solid waste management and site remediation. Baalu also addressed the Ministerial Armchair Dialogue on Climate Change – Globe 2000 on 24th March 2000. In his address, he discussed about the role of industry in developing countries between climate change and sustainable development. He especially focused on the role of political leadership in facilitating private sector management vis-à-vis promoting clean development mechanism.

Baalu led the Indian delegation at the VIII Session on Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) held at New York from 24th April to 5th May 2000 and the First Global Ministerial Environment Forum – the Sixth Special Session of the Governing Council of UNEP held at Malmo, Sweden from 29-31 May 2000.

In his address to the ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development held at Kitakyushu, Japan on 4-5 September 2000 Baalu stressed that western model or the eastern miracles can no longer serve as reference points for sustainable development of Asia Pacific region. He expressed concern over the region’s dependence on carbon intensive resources of energy and suggested that we must move away from this paradigm of growth. He looked forward to the day when the Asia Pacific Region would take its rightful position in the global market as torchbearer of a new paradigm of environment-friendly development.