Archived press release

Americans Hold Back Progress on Earth Summit Agreements

12 February 2003

Friends of the Earth today slammed the US for obstructing key agreements reached at last year's Earth Summit in Johannesburg, at an international meeting of environment ministers [1] in Nairobi, Kenya.

The United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, attended by Environment Minister Michael Meacher, reached agreement on some issues, but the US delegation blocked concrete action, including:

A legally binding instrument on mercury pollution
An international code of conduct on sustainable production and consumption
The creation of a new inter-governmental panel on global environmental change (Ipec)
"Substantive guidance" on a strategic approach to international chemicals management.

Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper said:

"Yet again the US administration has blocked any progress in tackling world-wide environmental problems. This will do nothing to challenge perceptions that the US is ignoring the very real concerns of citizens world-wide and instead is intent on pursuing selfish and self-centred international policies. It is time the US and its close allies woke up to the fact that we have one world which needs protecting for the well-being of all citizens, be they rich or poor."

Notes

[1] United Nations Environment Programme 22^nd Governing Council took place in Nairobi Kenya from 3^rd - 7^th February 2003

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Americans Hold Back Progress on Earth Summit Agreements

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