Yellow dust monitoring network and other environmental issues discussed at the 4th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (Apr. 21~22, 2002)

Environment Ministers from Korea, China and Japan met for the fourth annual Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM) on April 20-21 in Seoul, Korea, to discuss issues of mutual concern and further strengthen trilateral environmental cooperation. At the meeting, Minister Kim Myung-Ja of Korea, Minister Xie Zhenhua of China and Minister Ohki Hiroshi of Japan paid particular attention to sand dust, climate change and the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The Ministers shared the view that extensive efforts should be made to minimize anthropogenic contribution to its aggravation. "While droughts and other natural phenomena render yellow sand unavoidable, we can moderate its impact by promoting sustainable land use," observed Minister Xie of China. On this score, the Ministers communicated their intention to explore a number of capacity-building projects such as joint monitoring to increase scientific understanding of sand dust. They endorsed the proposal to hold an expert workshop and deliberated on the feasibility of establishing an interactive sand dust monitoring channel that would facilitate data and information sharing and technical consultation. Minister Kim and her counterparts also agreed to augment joint efforts to collaborate with such international organizations as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Global Environment Facility.

Regarding climate change, the Ministers recognized that the Kyoto Protocol within the UN framework is the important first step toward mitigating global warming by the international community. They emphasized that countries must carry out their "common but differentiated responsibilities" and strengthen international efforts to combat climate change.