Session of the UN General Assembly on Environmental
Protection, 1997
( )
Mr. President,
First of all, Mr. President, we should like to extend our congratulations on your election to this important post. The Russian delegation shares the general desire for a productive session and will do everything possible to promote the successful conclusion of your important agenda objective.
Russia on the whole approves of the continuation of the implementation of the decisions of the UN conference on the environment and development of 1992. There has been a clearer identification of priority areas and pressing problems concerning the environment and in ensuring sustainable development. We already see in operation the global conventions drawn up in Rio de Janeiro on climate change and biodiversity, and conditions are being established for the launching of new mechanisms for international legal regulation in the area of the environment.
The concept of stable development adopted in Rio has been fleshed out through the holding of subsequent UN fora on problems of population, population centers, food security, social development, and enhancing the role of women. This has established a reliable foundation for global partnership for sustainable development.
Much has been done, but there have not yet been qualitative changes towards improving the earth's ecology. There is still a threat of further deterioration of the state of the planet's environment. This is shown by the assessments recently prepared by authoritative international organizations and research-scientific institutes on the ecological situation in the world and future prospects, given the maintenance of present economic models.
The major challenge to sustainable development is being posed by technological innovations in economics in conditions of lightning globalization and growing human pressure on nature, while modern civilization has no alternative which could in fact replace the regulating mechanisms of the biosphere.
This forum must provide an impetus to stimulate international environmental cooperation. It must focus on the elimination of existing gaps and shortcomings. These include the establishment of the best possible conditions for the transfer of ecologically safe
technologies, more stable and predictable availability of resources to environmental projects, the development of work to produce a convention on the preservation and rational use of forest resources, etc.
Russia in today's difficult conditions is doing all in its power to support the efforts of the international community to resolve these high priority global problems. An edict of the President of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, of 1 April 1996 defines the substance of our concept of the country's transition to sustainable development. We are strictly complying with the convention on climate change and the preservation of biological diversity, and are actively participating in other international efforts to realize the concept and practice of sustainable development.
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The foundation of our approach to sustainable development stems from Russia's special responsibility for the ecology of the planet. Our impact on the global environment is extremely significant on an absolute scale, and also regarding the results produced as compared to other technologically advanced states. Russia possesses the largest mass of natural ecosystems on the planet, which act as a reserve for the stability of the global biosphere.
The transition of our country to a market economic system and the fundamental efforts at bringing about the social transformation of society allow for increased responsibility for the state of the environment during the process of the implementation of economic reform, for a more flexible combination of measures of state regulation with economic mechanisms.
We attach great significance to the strengthening of cooperation to counteract the depletion of the earth's ozone layer, which is fraught with tragic dramatic consequences for mankind and for the biosphere.
Russia is interested in full-fledged participation in the Convention against desertification. Practical measures here will follow after the drawing up and adoption of an additional annex to the Convention, reflecting the specific conditions of countries with a transition economy.
We believe that the time is ripe to begin immediately the negotiating process to produce an international-legal instrument on forests. We are aware of the consequences of damage caused by the squandering of natural resources and therefore believe that a highest priority objective is the restructuring of the energy sector.
As a country with forests which account for one-fifth of all the large forests of the earth, Russia is extremely concerned for the rational use of and preservation of forests for the needs of our
descendants and for all mankind. Forests are not only a resource for economic development but also the "lungs" which absorb, inter alia, those very gases which cause the greenhouse effect and threaten to destabilize the climate system.
Attention must also be paid to such fundamentally important questions as the quality of global drinking water resources; the preservation of the ecosystems of the World ocean; the comprehensive development of energy resources and ecological transportation; urbanization and food security.
We understand that all these problems cannot be solved right away, but our joint effectiveness can and must be stepped up through full and rigorous concern for the interests and genuine potential of all groups of states.
Thank you, Mr. President.
15
(, 1997)
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Mr. President,
Allow/Permit me/May I/associate myself with/join the/ congratulations extended to you/also congratulate you/on your election to this distinguished/important/major/post.Allow me also to express my/our confidence/certainty that your extensive/abundant/wealth of professional and personal experience, along with/together with/your great diplomatic skill/skill as a diplomatwill promote/advance/active/ lively/creative dialogueand fruitful discussions, leading to/resulting in/ (the drawing up of)specific measures and recommendations to achieve the far-reaching/lofty/noble/ambitious goals/objectives of Rio.
The conference in Rio de Janeiro reaffirmed that socio-economic development and environmental protection are closely connected/ linked and interdependent. Within the context/framework of/effective policy they must be considered together/jointly/in tandem. The conference also demonstrated/showed/proved/that new ecological/ environmental threats: depletion of the ozone layer, changes in the global climate, a decline in fresh water supplies, deforestation, the decline in biodiversity, environmental pollution, industrial and radioactive wastes, the spread/encroachment of the desert/ desertification and other problems have become more critical/ dramatic/drastic and require immediate solutions/their solution brooks
no delay/is urgent. States-parties to/states which participated in the
conference emphasized/stressed/underlined that a solution to the problems of the environment and development require (the creation/establishment of) new forms of partnership relations: global partnership on the basis of an ongoing/ continuing/permanent/ unbroken and constructive dialogue, predicated on/resulting from the need to create a more effective and just world economy which takes into account/takes due account of/is fully aware of/fully acknowledges the interdependence of the community of nations and the high priority of/attached to the problem/issue/question of sustainable development.
The conference also took a decision to call attention to the enormous/great/highest priority importance of mountains/mountain ranges for mankind and to propose to the UN General Assembly the declaration of the International Mountain Year. This request was supported by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Akaev. I wish to express /voice the hope, that this request will be backed by/meet with the approval of/will be taken up by/both governments and nongovernmental organizations, and by various regional and subregional groups/initiatives/associations.
Mountains account for/occupy/one-fifth of all dry land, and at least 10 per cent of the world's population live here/in these regions,
and are dependent on mountain resources. An even greater part of the population uses/makes use of other mountain resources, especially water. The glaciers located on mountain peaks are the basic sources of fresh water. A shortage of water together with a lack of other natural resources leads to an intensification/aggravation of poverty, intensifies social strife, and leads to a growth of ethnic tensions and, consequently, to the outbreak/emergence of armed conflicts. It is no accident that/it is not fortuitous that 48 armed conflicts took place in 1995, and that 26 occurred/took place in mountainous regions. Mountains are often the site of ecological disturbances and natural disasters. Earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches not only inflict on/ cause/do serious damage to the economy of mountainous regions, but also claim thousands of victims/kill thousands of people/cause thousands of casualties/annually. On the other hand, mountains provide superb/outstanding opportunities/possibilities/for the development of tourism, skiing, mountain climbing and hunting.
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The government of the Kyrgyz Republic attaches great/the highest/importance to questions of ecology. The development of natural resources/nature/is the major focus/thrust/primary area/of national strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic for sustainable human development. In November, 1995 we adopted a National Plan for environmental protection.
Mountains cover 90% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan. Glaciers high up on/thousands of feet above/the Pamir and Tien-Shan peaks nourish/feed/the rivers of the Amu Darya and the Sir Darya, which are the major water sources for the Aral Sea. With its enormous water and renewable hydroenergy resources, Kyrgyzstan is truly the ecological heart/center of Central Asia. For that heart to keep on beating, however, its health must be carefully monitored/it must take care of its health/it must stay healthy.
The law of the Kyrgyz Republic on environmental protection stipulates/lays down/spells out/the responsibility of industrial enterprises for environmental pollution as a result of emissions into the atmosphere, sewage runoff into reservoirs, and disposal of solid waste. This provision is also applicable to chemical and radioactive toxic substances. Now/currently/at the present time work is underway on a law of the Kyrgyz Republic on radiation safety for the population.
Mr. President,
The last/past five years have been marked by/continue to reveal/ to display a deterioration of the global environment and the exhaustion/depletion of natural resources. The popular saying goes/ Popular wisdom has it that "He who climbs the mountain will master the road/reach his journey's end." Only a brave/courageous and persistent/determined person can conquer mountain peaks. Only the persistent joint efforts and resources of governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, international, subregional, and regional organizations and initiatives will lead to/ result in the implementation of the farsighted goals of the agenda for the 21st century and we are now standing on its threshold.
This text makes use of a good many ecological terms frequently encountered in materials on the environment, a subject which is becoming of ever greater concern in today's world.
:
1) ,
this
is an excellent example of "flowers" in an introduction. The interpreter
knows virtually from the very first words what will follow, and it is not worth
wasting time looking for the best possible adjective. "Allow me also to
congratulate you on your election to this important post" is quite adequate.
2) all that
requires here is "along with" or "together with." Anything on
the order of "compounded by" will simply sound silly.
3) the idea is an active or lively exchange of views.
4) this is a good candidate for judicious
cutting; "discussions leading to specific measures" is the point being made.
5) the reference is to the Rio de Janeiro
conference on the environment. "Grandiose" sounds insulting, as though
unrealistic goals are being set. "Ambitious" or "far-ranging" come closer
to the meaning,
6)
there are a lot of extra words here. These problems, basically,
"have become more serious and require immediate solution." Even shorter
would be "these ever more urgent problems require immediate solution."
7) when talking about a treaty,
- are always "states-parties," not participants. In
reference to a conference, however, they can be either.
8) this does not have to be translated as "which takes into
account..." An expression such as "fully acknowledges" is much shorter.
Simply "recognizes the need" would also be a good solution.
9) this requires a bit of rephrasing. "Will find favor
with" is too old-fashioned. The basic idea is that it will meet with the
approval of or be backed by others. "Response" or "reaction" as a
translation for could lead to an awkward sentence, such as "will
be reacted to favorably by..."
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10) even shorter, though requiring some restructuring
is "They are home to at least ten per cent of the world's population, who
are dependent on mountain resources."
11) the simplest way out of this one is probably the much-
used "It is not fortuitous that," which sounds better in English than "it is
no accident that." In some contexts "It is with good reason that" can be
used, though here that docs not work.
12) here a literal interpretation should be
avoided. The point is that this is the "major focus" or "thrust" of national
strategy. "Central" does not work well, and while "area" is a possibility
for , it is a bit too broad in this context.
13) this also needs to be rephrased. "Feed" or "nourish"
are short and clear; anything with "life" will sound pompous and too
formal.
14) the notion is that this law is
applicable to/valid for other items. "Extends to" does not work well.
15) XXI , this is a
syntactically tricky phrase. The formal name of the UN document, "
XXI ," is actually just "Agenda 21." Here, however,
must be translated, because of the second half of the sentence. "On the
threshold of which we are standing" is very awkward; hence "we are now
(standing) on its threshold" is a possible solution.
11
Representative of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan on the Environment (UN, 1997)
( )
Mr. President,
Allow me also to congratulate you on your election to this important post and to express my confidence that your extensive professional and personal experience, together with your great diplomatic skill will advance creative dialogue and fruitful discussions, leading to specific measures and recommendations to achieve the ambitious objectives of Rio.
The conference in Rio de Janeiro reaffirmed that socio-economic development and environmental protection are closely connected and interdependent. Within the context of effective policy they must be considered in tandem. The conference also demonstrated that new ecological threats: depletion of the ozone layer, changes in the global climate, a decline in fresh water supplies, deforestation, the decline in biodiversity, environmental pollution, industrial and radioactive wastes, the spread of desertification and other problems have become more critical and require immediate solutions. States which participated in the conference emphasized that a solution to the problems of the environment and development require new forms of partnership: global partnership on the basis of an ongoing and constructive dialogue, predicated on the need to create a more effective and just world economy which fully acknowledges the interdependence of the community of nations and the high priority attached to the issue of sustainable development.
The conference also took a decision to call attention to the highest priority importance of mountains for mankind, and to propose to the UN General Assembly the declaration of the International Mountain Year. This request was supported by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Akaev. I wish to express the hope that this request will be backed by both governments and non-governmental organizations, and by various regional and subregional groups.
Mountains account for one-fifth of all dry land, and at least 10 per cent of the world's population live here, and are dependent on mountain resources. An even greater part of the population uses other mountain resources, especially water. The glaciers located on mountain peaks are the basic sources of fresh water. A shortage of water together with a lack of other natural resources leads to an aggravation of poverty, intensifies social strife, and leads to a growth of ethnic tensions and, consequently, to the outbreak of armed conflicts. It is not fortuitous that 48 armed conflicts took place in
1995, and that 26 occurred in mountainous regions. Mountains are often the site of ecological disturbances and natural disasters. Earthquakes, landslides and avalanches not only cause serious damage to the economy of mountainous regions, but also kill thousands of people annually. On the other hand, mountains provide superb opportunities for the development of tourism, skiing, mountain climbing and hunting.
The government of the Kyrgyz Republic attaches great importance to questions of ecology. The development of natural resources is the major focus of national strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic for sustainable human development. In November, 1995 we adopted a National Plan for environmental protection.
Mountains cover 90% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan. Glaciers high above the Pamir and Tien-Shan peaks nourish the rivers of the Amu Darya and the Sir Darya, which are the major water sources for the Aral Sea. With its enormous water and renewable hydroenergy resources, Kyrgyzstan is truly the ecological center of Central Asia. For that heart to keep on beating, however, its health must be carefully monitored.
The law of the Kyrgyz Republic on environmental protection stipulates the responsibility of industrial enterprises for environmental pollution resulting from emissions into the atmosphere, sewage runoff into reservoirs, and of solid waste disposal. This provision is also applicable to chemical and radioactive toxic substances. Currently work is underway on a law of the Kyrgyz Republic on radiation safety for the population.
Mr. President,
The last five years have been marked by a deterioration of the global environment and the depletion of natural resources. Popular wisdom has it that "He who climbs the mountain will reach his journey's end." Only a brave and determined person can conquer mountain peaks. Only the persistent joint efforts and resources of governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, international, subregional, and regional organizations and initiatives will lead to the implementation of the farsighted goals of the agenda for the 21st century and we are now standing on its threshold.
16
(, 1998)
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