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The Council for Sustainable Development has advised that consultation should begin on the framework for a sustainable development strategy and that funding should be made available to support projects and programmes that will promote public awareness of the need for a sustainable approach in our daily lives.

Speaking after the Council meeting today (June 2), the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, who chairs the Council, said that in consulting the public about the strategy, the aim was to involve the public in drawing up a blueprint for a sustainable future for Hong Kong. This issue should be the subject of a comprehensive and lively public discussion, culminating in public endorsement of a strategic direction.

Mr Tsang said: "The Council has considered a draft vision statement for the strategy, that is, for Hong Kong to be a healthy, economically vibrant and just society that respects the natural environment and values its cultural heritage."

On the consultation framework, Mr Tsang said that the Strategy Sub-committee led by Dr Edgar Cheng would conduct a series of discussions with stakeholders on the objectives, priorities, implementation plans and monitoring mechanism that would make up the overall strategy.

He added: "The Council's intention is that stakeholder consultation and the formulation of a strategy proposal that would have public support could be completed in 18 months."

Mr Tsang said: "Meanwhile, we must show the wider community that sustainable development is not just a lofty concept, but also offers a way of improving the quality of our lives." To this end, the Council supported the establishment of the proposed Sustainable Development Fund, which would provide resources to support community initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability.

"We hope that with the Fund, more community projects could be implemented to raise people's awareness of the principles of sustainability and how to put these into practice. The Education and Publicity Sub-Committee headed by Ms Christine Fang will work on the funding criteria and guidelines in details."

The Government is due to make a submission to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on June 13 for a $100 million allocation to establish the Sustainable Development Fund.

The terms of reference and membership lists of the Council and its two sub-committees can be viewed at the website of the Sustainable Development Unit at http://www.susdev.gov.hk. The digest of the Council proceedings of the last meeting, the agenda and discussion papers for this meeting are also available at the website.

End/Monday, June 2, 2003

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