Speaking from Beijing on the purpose of the high-level conference, Dr. Yumkella noted that, the aim was simple. “Our role was to provide strategic guidance and coordination for a series of on-going studies aimed at producing a roadmap and policy recommendations for China’s South-South Cooperation on ecological civilization. The roadmap and recommendations will be presented to the Premier and the Annual General Meeting of CCICED at the end of the year,” he said.
As international co-chair of the Taskforce which is part of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), Dr. Yumkella further noted that the South-South co-operation is also meant to guide China’s efforts in sharing its development experience, advanced technology and scientific research results with other countries.
In 2014, Yumkella proposed the new Triangular Cooperation Model for Africa at CCIECD.
Established in 1992 with the approval of the Chinese Government, China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level not-for-profit international advisory body, composed of high level Chinese and international figures and well-known experts in the field of environment and development.
The main tasks of CCICED are: to exchange and disseminate successful international experience in the field of environment and development; study key environment and development issues of China; provide forward-looking, strategic and early warning policy recommendations to State leaders and decision makers of all levels in China; as well as to facilitating the implementation of sustainable development strategy and the development of resource-saving and environment-friendly society in China.
The Chairperson of CCICED is the leader of the State Council, including the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China and is supported by senior ministers from the environment, foreign affairs and commerce.
Dr. Yumkella has been a member of CCICED for about eight years, providing inputs for the 12th and 13th Five-year development plans of China.
Dr. Yumkella has also had a productive partnership with China, spanning over a decade. During his tenure as Director-General of UNIDO, technical cooperation with China expanded to over $100 million in industrial pollution control, including eradication of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), ozone depleting substances as part of the Montreal Protocol, and hazardous medical waste.
Yumkella also helped to establish the $40 million Solar Research Center in Gansu province, Western China, and expanded the China small hydropower international cooperation programme. He also led the expansion of the UNIDO-China south-south cooperation.
