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The Chief Executive had appointed Dr Edgar Cheng as the Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development (Council) with effect from tomorrow (July 1), a government spokesman announced today (June 30).
The appointment will cover the rest of the council¡¦s current two-year term which began on March 1.
The spokesman said the appointment of a non-official as the chairman of the council was part and parcel of the transfer of "sustainable development" as a policy portfolio from the Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration¡¦s Office to the new Environment Bureau under the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat, which would take effect on the same day.
¡§The change in council chairmanship, along with the transfer of the relevant responsibilities to the new Environment Bureau, are complementary moves to strengthen the Government¡¦s commitment towards sustainable development ¡V by strengthening the stakeholder-led process for the council on one hand, and facilitating added professional input by integrating the Council Secretariat with the Environmental Protection Department on the other,¡¨ the spokesman explained.
¡§The Government attaches great importance to the sustainable development of Hong Kong,¡¨ the spokesman said.
An enhanced stakeholder-led process for the Council was in line with the Chief Executive¡¦s commitment to encourage greater public participation in the formulation of Government policies, he said.
The Chief Executive also made new official appointments to the council to tie in with the reshuffling of portfolios under the re-organisation exercise.
The council, appointed by the Chief Executive, has been advising the Government on the preparation of sustainable development strategies, and promoting public awareness and understanding of the principles of sustainable development since its establishment in 2003.
The council has implemented two rounds of stakeholder-led engagement process to involve the community in formulating sustainable development strategies for Hong Kong. It has just launched a new round of public engagement on air quality issues. The council has also advised on the disbursement of the Sustainable Development Fund to support community projects aimed at raising public awareness of sustainability issues.
¡§The council will continue to take forward these initiatives, in partnership with stakeholder organisations in the community,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Attached is the new membership list (with effect from July 1) :
Chairman
Dr. Edgar Cheng
Members
Dr. Lily Chiang
The Hon. Choy So-yuk
Mr Barrie Cook
Ms Christine Fang
Mr Hans Michael Jebsen
Mr Thomas Kwok
Mr Michael Lai
Professor Lam Kin-che
Ir Otto Poon
Mr TAI Hay-lap
Professor Tsui Lap-chee
Secretary for the Environment *
Secretary for Transport and Housing*
Secretary for Development*
Secretary for Home Affairs*
* or Permanent Secretary
Ends/Saturday, June 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:00
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