MESSAGE MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT MALAYSIA

First and foremost, I wish to congratulate the Ministry of Environment, Kingdom of Cambodia for graciously hosting the launching of the ASEAN Environment Year 2003. 

The ASEAN Environment Year is one of our flagship projects. Its celebration is a significant event not only to showcase our achievements but also to remind us of our commitments to provide our future generation with a clean, safe, healthy and productive environment.

It has been three years since we last launched the ASEAN Environment Year 2000 in Brunei Darussalam. Since then we have made much progress in addressing environmental issues and problems both national and trans-boundary in nature. The last three years saw the spirit of cooperation and solidarity between ASEAN member countries being culminated into an important piece of agreement to mitigate Haze Pollution in the region. The ASEAN Agreement on Trans-boundary Haze Pollution is a showpiece, which reminds all of us that nothing is impossible if we put our minds and efforts together.

In this regard, we must not forget that we are part of the global community protecting this planet from environmental degradation. As a region, we face a huge task ahead to carry out the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Nonetheless, I am convinced that our strong ties and cooperation will enable us to operationalize the Plan of Implementation in the region. I hope we will be able to carry out more activities to enhance our efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. Lastly, I am proud to announce that in November 2002, Malaysia launched its National Policy on the Environment.

H.E MR DATO’ SERI LAW HIENG DING
Minster of Science, Technology and the Environment
MALAYSIA