Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,

140 Hill Street #02-02 MITA Building, Singapore 179369.

Tel: 837 9666

___________________________________________________________

SPEECH BY MR SIDEK SANIFF, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AT THE OPENING OF THE ASEAN YOUTH FORUM ON THE ENVIRONMENT TO COMMEMORATE ASEAN ENVIRONMENT YEAR 2000 HELD ON MONDAY, 5 JUN 2000 AT 10 AM IN FUNCTION ROOM AT RELC INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
 
 
 

Prof Leo Tan

Chairman

NYAA Council

Mr Eric Gill

Chief Executive Officer

HSBC Singapore

Mr James Soh

Executive Director

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

First, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to our friends from the ASEAN member countries, namely: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Negara Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. I hope you will have a pleasant stay here in Singapore.

I am indeed happy to be here this morning to officiate the opening of the ASEAN Youth Forum on the Environment to commemorate ASEAN Environment Year 2000.

The gathering of youth leaders from the ASEAN member countries in Singapore marks another milestone in the co-operation between the ASEAN Secretariat, the Ministry of the Environment and the NYAA Council.

Located in different parts of South East Asia, the different ASEAN member countries may differ in some ways. However, we share a common heritage to a large extent and we look forward to a common future as a region of growing importance on the world stage.

To help our young people recognise this reality and work towards enhancing peace and harmony, understanding and co-operation in the region, especially in the area of environmental protection and nature conservation, we need to provide them with the opportunities to meet, establish contact and interact with one another.

The ASEAN region is experiencing rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. As such, the common challenge faced by ASEAN countries is how this development can be achieved without compromising the quality of its living environment. While it is a challenge to all, youth leaders like yourselves are in the best position to play a key role in helping your countries and ASEAN as a whole to overcome this hurdle. You are the standard-bearers of our future and your actions will one day shape the world that you, your family and future generations will live in.

However, you do not have to wait until you are in positions of influence before you take proactive steps to protect our environment. As it is, you can exert influence through the daily decisions you make, such as what you buy and use. It is a well-known fact that youths form a substantial segment of the consumer market and are often the target of aggressive marketing. For example, how many of us have bought something just because it is the latest fad or fashion? By refusing to succumb to wasteful consumerism, you will set a good example for your fellow youths on how our actions can make an impact on the environment.

To be an effective leader, you will also need to have a good grasp of current and emerging environmental concerns so as to help develop constructive ideas and options to resolve these concerns. Reading widely and participating actively in forums such as this is a good way to build up your knowledge in these areas.

At the ASEAN Environment Ministerial meeting in April 2000 at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, the Ministers endorsed ‘Our Heritage, Our Future’ as the theme for ASEAN Environment Year 2000. Many activities and projects are expected to be implemented at a regional level in the coming year. Today’s forum will be a good opportunity for youth your age to propose various means to promote sustainable development, with special attention paid to the role that youth can play. I am sure all of you will have a fruitful session discussing how you can play a critical role in ensuring sustainable development in your respective countries and in this region.

However, idealism must also be balanced with reality. There is no universal solution to our environmental problems. Armed with this awareness, you will be better able to participate in environmental initiatives and contribute to their success. We all need to be creative, flexible as well as realistic.

I hope this seminar will give you a better understanding of the concerns, constraints and choices that we face, as individual countries and as a region. Hopefully the contacts and relationships that you develop will be useful in facilitating further understanding and co-operation when you assume leadership positions in your countries in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to commend the National Youth Achievement Award Council for their active role in promoting environmental protection and nature conservation both in Singapore and around the region.

I would also like to thank the ASEAN Secretariat for their support in regional youth development work, especially projects related to environmental protection in ASEAN. I wish to thank the Singapore Environment Council for co-sponsoring the event.

Last but not least , I would like to thank Mr Eric Gill and HSBC Singapore for their staunch support and commitment to the cause of environmental conservation and youth development, two very vital aspects of our future by sponsoring the forum in Singapore. Before I end off, I wish to leave you with this meaningful Indian proverb:

                "Only after the last tree is cut down,

Thank you.