The 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (hereinafter referred to as CCICED) opened in Beijing on Dec.12, around the theme of “Regional Balance and Green Development”. Li Keqiang, a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council, and CCICED Chairperson, addressed the opening ceremony. MEP Minister and CCICED Executive Vice Chairperson Zhou Shengxian and Minister of Environment Canada and CCICED Executive Vice Chairperson Peter Kent delivered welcome remarks.

　　Zhou made a special speech entitled “advance ecological progress and build a beautiful country” after the opening ceremony. Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission and CCICED Vice Chairperson Xie Zhenhua, and Managing Director of World Economic Forum and CCICED Vice Chairperson Børge Brende also gave their remarks.

　　CCICED Chinese Chief Advisor and Academician with Chinese Academy of Engineering Shen Guofang, and international Chief Advisor and former President of International Institute for Sustainable Development, Canada Dr. Arthur Hanson presented the 2012 Issues Paper on Regionally Balanced and Green Development.

　　The Council members held that the world economy remains in the critical and sensitive period in the year 2012 due to the impact of post financial crisis, hence the world sustainable development cause lacks impetus. In the international context of economic downturn, China’s growth rate has been on the decline. However, confronted with the complicated and daunting situation, the Chinese Government has made overall plans for the foreign and domestic affairs, and while taking initiative to engage in the cooperation and management in the international environment and development field, identified the ecological civilization as a national strategy and carried it further, and actively promoted the green transformation of the economic growth model. The Chinese Government has, in light of the new domestic environment, new tasks, and new requirements, introduced a raft of strategies and measures specifically the strategic thought for environmental protection in the new stage, that is, protecting the environment through economic development and developing the economy through environmental protection. It has also actively explored a new path for environmental protection featured with small cost, sound benefits, low emissions, and sustainable development. As a result, the environmental protection work has played an important role in China’s economic restructuring and transformation.

　　The Council members also held that the year 2012 is the first year of Phase V of the Council. CCICED has done its work based on the particular domestic and international backgrounds for environment and development and around the goals, tasks, and policy research direction identified for the Phase V of the Council. CCICED has accomplished all of the tasks for the year, achieved the expected goals, and made positive contributions to China’s environmental protection and development, under the leadership of the Bureau and the close cooperation of Chinese and international partners.

　　The AGM will last for three days and discussions will be held in two open forums around the theme of Regional Coordination and Green Development, and Strategic Transformation and Green Development.

　　Besides, the Chinese and international Council members and experts will have discussions on policy research reports and policy recommendations, including the policy mechanism towards environmental targets for the 12th Five-Year Plan, strategy and policies on environment and development of Western China, environmental strategy and measure for transformation of development mode in Eastern China, China’s marine environmental management mechanism based on the case study of the Oil Spill Incident in the Bohai Sea, and regional air quality integrated control system, etc.. The policy recommendations to the Chinese Government will be finalized and adopted by the AGM.

　　CCICED consists of Chinese and international high-profile personages and experts in the environment and development field. It is a high-level international policy advisory body. Since it was established in 1992, CCICED has been devoted to offering a platform for high-level policy dialogue between China and the international community in the environment and development field, and communicated and disseminated the successful experience of the international community in environment and development; come up with proactive, strategic, and early-warning policy recommendations to the leadership of the Chinese Government and policy-makers at all levels by conducting researches on major environment and development issues confronting China; and gone all out to support and promote the sustainable development of Chinese economy as well as the building of a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.