UNEP director highlights Cuba’s environmental commitment

By Orfilio Peláez—Granma daily—

“IN Cuba I have been able to appreciate how economic development and environmental action are progressing simultaneously, and that shows that there is a real political will and a very firm commitment to protecting the environment.”

That was emphasized yesterday by Dr. Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), during a meeting with the accredited press at the 6th International Convention on the Environment and Development, which has brought together in Havana delegates from more than 30 countries, deputy ministers of the sector from various Latin American nations, and invited guests.

Steiner qualified the priority given to environmental issues as an extremely striking fact.

He said that the progressive growth of forested areas, the development of protected areas (currently 22% of national territory) and other indicators are evidence that Cuba’s policy in this sphere is producing effective results.

The UNEP director also praised the island’s efforts in energy savings and its rational and effective use of energy, as well as the integral approach to studies undertaken by Cuban scientists on climate change, including measures to adapt to and mitigate the phenomenon.

In response to a question on the use of foodstuffs to produce biofuels, Steiner said that the matter requires close analysis because every new technology brings with it risks and possibilities. The UNEP role, he stressed, is to make available to governments the most information possible so that they can make the best decisions in that respect.

Previously, Dr. Achim Steiner gave a master lecture to participants in the 6th Convention.

Translated by Granma International

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