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Seoul Declaration towards Cooperation of Environmental NGOs in Asia-Pacific Region

1. Preamble

Since the UN-sponsored Stockholm Conference on Human Environment in 1972, many international conferences, conventions, protocols, and agreements to deal with the problems of environment and development have been initiated. The efforts to protect the "Only One Earth" culminated in the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June, 1992, in the agreement of the nations to Agenda21 (Agenda for the 21st Century), and in the conventions on biodiversity and Climate Changes.

Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific Region, many similar initiatives have tried to address the global problems we face on a regional basis. Along this effort, in December 1991, the 1st Asia-Pacific NGO's Environmental Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Arising from that initiative and the Bangkok Declaration of that meeting, and responding to the challenges contained in Agenda21, we have met as the Second Asia-Pacific NGO's Environmental Conference in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, in March 27 through 28 of 1993.

2.Major Issues

There are differences in environmental problems throughout the Asia-Pacific Region, many of them reflecting the stages of economic development of the diverse countries. Two points, however, seen to be in common; (1) national policies sacrificing environmental concerns for economic development, and (2) transfer of environmentally harmful technologies and wastes from developed nations to the developing nations.

The region once known for its cleanliness and natural beauty is being quickly destroyed by such causes as air, land, and aquatic pollution, over-exploitation of resources, and the loss of forests and biodiversity. Even the traditional knowledge and lifestyles of people throughout the region, particularly of indigenous people, are being threatened.

Trans boundary pollution issues especially need to be addressed. Another concern is the ongoing attempt of some Western Nations to use such global concerns as destruction of the ozone layer and tropical forests as an excuse to sanction economies in the region with low economic development and environmental technologies.

The current patterns of economic development which have resulted in these environmental problems are clearly not sustainable in the longer term.

3.Sustainable Development - An Asia-Pacific Response

Responding to the challenges of Agenda21, we feel that the following are important in promoting sustainable development and improving environmental management in the region.

Firstly, we all share responsibility for the problems we face -governmental or non-governmental, rich or poor, North or South. Only co-operation can lead us forward to solve these problems. Key in this is the concept of "thinking globally, acting locally". Thus, participatory decision-making on environmental management at a local level is important. In the national, regional, and global level, the examination and reform of development models are essential to bring these within the parameters of sustainable development.

Secondly, in order to achieve these levels of co-operation, important is the guarantee of the right for the free flow of information, access to information, freedom of communication, and the development of infrastructure to support informed decision-making.

Thirdly, natural resource accounting and standardized accounting for the negative economic impacts of pollution and environmental damages must be integrated into the national accounts. In addition, environmental auditing methodology appropriate to the region must be used.
Fourthly, future generations have a right to inherit an environment unspoiled by our present generation, with sufficient resources to meet their own needs. For this to happen, our generation must work towards the reduction of economic disparities, the guarantee of fair trade, and the restoration of the health our natural environment.

4.The Role of NGOs

As NGOs, we are to keeps a watch on government and industry while being a voice for the citizens and environmental victims. Strengthening co-operative ties with private and public agencies is another vital task facing us to effectively monitor the compliance of industries and to advance state of the pollution reduction technologies.

We can strengthen environmental movements, and assist the introduction of new technologies while advocating fair compensation. We can insist on the principle of "strict liability" in cases of environmental pollution or direct damage caused by public or private enterprises.

By pursuing an integrated environmental movement in the region, we will re-enforce the co-operation among both academics and private organizations to cope with environmental problems facing the region. We will help each other by sharing information and exchanging staffs and materials. We will monitor the transfer of environmentally harmful technologies, and will endeavor to promote the transfer of clean industries and technologies.
We will also need to continually challenge existing development ethics until such time as development ethics compatible with the sustainable development are established. This calls restrictions on wasteful consumption and non-sustainable production, so that equitable distribution of benefits can lead to sustainable lifestyles.

5.Agreements

We have agreed to the followings;

1) To promote international co-operation and dissemination between nations, we have agreed to form the "Asia-Pacific NGOs' Environmental Council" as soon as possible. To study the organizational forms and way of operation the Council might take, we agree to form a "Preparatory Committee."

2) The Council may consider to establish such institutions as Environmental Research Center, Environmental Education Center, Center for Natural Resources and Biodiversity Studies, Center for Application of Communication and Information Technologies to Sustainable Development, Center for Environmental Policy and Law, and Center for Studies in Sustainable Development, respectively, in an appropriate time and place after evaluating the capacity of the related NGOs. Also, the Council may decide to publish "Newsletters" at an appropriate time.

3) The Council will seek to assist all countries in the region, particularly the less developed countries, to develop appropriate infrastructure and technologies which are essential to deal with urgent environmental problems.

4) we seek the participation and co-operation of all environmental NGOs in the region, including those unable to attend this meeting.

5) "The Third Asia-Pacific NGOs' Environmental Conference" will be held in Japan. Responsibility for organizing the Conference is given to Japan Environmental Council.

6.A Point for Consideration

The ideology behind the concept of sustainable development implies the use of non-violent, conservation-oriented techniques of using resources and producing goods on the one hand, and restrictions on wasteful consumption on the other. Further it implies changes in lifestyles which encourage economic and social justice crucial for achieving sustainable development.