Annan calls for smarter, greater use of technology to reduce harmful emissions

The world must more enthusiastically and effectively embrace modern technologies that reduce waste and repair environmental damage, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to officials meeting in Japan.

In his communication to the Zero Emissions Tenth Anniversary Symposium in Tokyo, Mr. Annan said the world already has a “far-reaching network” of treaties, accords and targets to promote environmentally sustainable development. He added that it also has an increasing array of advanced technologies that can reduce or eliminate pollution, waste and degradation.

“Our challenge now is to take better advantage of these fruits of human ingenuity, while summoning a stronger human commitment to implement what has been agreed,” he said in the message, which was delivered by Hans van Ginkel, Rector of the United Nations University (UNU).

The Zero Emissions initiative was launched by UNU in 1994 to encourage the world to work along on a path of continuous improvement until there are no emissions of harmful substances or products.

Mr. Annan also stressed how environmentally sustainable development not only supports the natural world, but can help “bring security, stability and prosperity to all.”