Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,

36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.

Tel: 3757794/5

___________________________________________________________

SPEECH BY MR SIDEK SANIFF, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE ASIA/PACIFIC YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL WEBSITE ON SAT, 5 JUN 99 AT 10 AM IN GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL, TUDOR BALLROOM

Prof Leo Tan

Chairman, NYAA Council

Mr Goh Kong Aik

Manager, Public Affairs & Advertising

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

Mr James Soh,

NYAA Executive Director

Miss Vinothini Apok

UNEP Youth Advisor for Asia and the Pacific

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

It is my pleasure to join all of you here this morning at the launch of the Asia/Pacific Youth Environmental Website under the United Nations Environment Programme.

I am honoured to officiate at this very first project undertaken by Singapore’s own youth representative in the UNEP Youth Advisory Council as well as the first internet initiative for the UNEP Asia/Pacific Region, covering some 68 countries.

The establishment of this website is indeed a welcome development. I am confident that it will not only bolster environmental awareness but also enhance youth development and exchange. In turn, this will further fuel environmental education among youths in the region as information, best ideas and practices, and knowledge are shared freely in this unfettered domain.

The spark for this initiative came from none other than Singapore’s UNEP youth representative, Miss Vinothini Apok. I was told that she had participated at the recent 20^th UNEP Governing Council Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, under the auspices of the HSBC/NYAA Overseas Youth Conservation Scheme, and had left many impressed.

My ministry is very proud and encouraged that one of our youth leaders has been able to contribute constructively and tangibly to the promotion of environmental awareness and protection at the regional and international level.

The quality of the idea and her effort has helped Vinothini to earn the confidence and support of both the NYAA Council, our national youth development body and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, a premier global bank. Thanks to their strong support, this idea for an international platform for youth exchange and development has become a reality.

This collaboration underscores the importance of having like-minded, socially responsible organisations, be they from the private or public sector, working together to tap and channel the energy and creativity of our youths to better the environment and the community. Today’s event is an excellent example of how such a committed partnership can promote the sharing of best ideas and practices to tackle what is essentially an issue that must concern us all.

This form of multilateral co-operation involving an international Non-Government Organisation, a national public body and an international private corporation underpinned by the ideals and efforts of our youths should be applauded and encouraged.

I hope more such opportunities are created to provide our youths the avenues to participate and contribute their ideas and energy to better our living environment.

Indeed, I understand that the NYAA Council and HSBC Singapore actively identify opportunities for our youths to gain wider exposure through overseas expeditions and exchanges. I wish to take this opportunity to commend the NYAA Council and HSBC Singapore for their commitment and strong support in youth environmental activities not only in Singapore but in the international arena as well.

Last but not least, I also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Vinothini Apok for being elected to the UNEP Youth Advisory Council and for being appointed as one of the two Youth Advisors for Asia and the Pacific Region. Your success in Nairobi, Kenya as well as at the recent 7^th Commission for Sustainable Development Meeting in New York is most commendable. You have done Singapore proud and I trust your peers will find your commitment and leadership worthy of emulation and strive to make a difference as you have amply shown.

Thank you.