Malaysia - PM is the world’s first political leader to take advanced role on environment

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed the setting-up of a World Environment Organ­isation (WEO).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who made the proposal, said WEO would be consultative and assist countries to meet global commitments, unlike the World Trade Organisation which was regulatory and set standards.

The United Nations Environment Prog­ramme’s Environmental Law and Convention division director Bakary Kante said it was the first time a leader of a country was taking a position to call for a setting up of a WEO.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time a political leader is taking an advanced position on environment.

“Najib has realised the importance of the environment for the future of the country and the world,” he said.

In his opening speech at the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environment Sustainability’s first preparatory meeting, Najib said the international community had adopted hundreds of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA), all with their own secretariats and administrations.

“Between 1992 to 2007, the 18 major MEAs alone convened some 540 meetings which produced over 5,000 decisions that countries are supposed to act through national efforts,” he said.

His speech was read out by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Later, at the KL International Venture Capital Symposium 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Najib said Malaysia should not take its rich natural resources for granted but should instead transform so that it would not face economic failures.

“Countries labelled model nations in the 1950s and 1960s are now struggling for economic survival and relevance.

“So, with its strategic geographical position, good physical infrastructure, law and order, doing business in Malaysia has long been a sound proposition.

“But we shouldn’t rest on laurels if we want to move forward,” he said.

The Star

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