At the International Advisory Meeting on Environment and Development for China's 13th Five-Year Plan

International advisors meet China's Vice Premier (standing centre: Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner)

Beijing, 9 June 2015 - Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met Tuesday with Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Achim Steiner and high-level experts participating in an advisory meeting on environment and development in support of China's 13th Five-Year Plan - the blueprint for China's economic and social development.

The International Advisory Meeting is jointly hosted by the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

"The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) covers a crucial period in China's economic and social development. Environmental protection and low-carbon development will top priority considerations during that period," said Mr. Zhang.

The Advisory Meeting is expected to conclude tomorrow with an outcome document that outlines China's sustainable economic development path for the future.

Recommendations agreed by the experts so far include the adoption of the ecosystem approach to environmental management; creating an enabling environment to promote the use of green technologies; speeding up the implementation of environment-friendly economic policies and green finance, investment and trade measures; and setting ambitious goals for environmental conservation.

About CCICED

Established in 1992 with the approval of the Chinese Government, China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level non-for-profit international advisory body composed of high level Chinese and international figures and well-known experts in the field of environment and development. The main tasks of CCICED are exchanging and disseminating international successful experience in the field of environment and development; studying key environment and development issues of China; providing forward-looking, strategic and early warning policy recommendations to State leaders and decision makers of all levels in China, facilitating the implementation of sustainable development strategy and the development of resource-saving and environment-friendly society in China. China's Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli serves as the Chairpersion of the Council, while UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner is the Vice Chairperson.