The UN Environment Program (UNEP) announced at the 6th World
Conference on Sport and Environment in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday
that it would be signing an agreement with the organizing committee
of Beijing’s
Olympics on November 18 to jointly promote environmental
initiatives.
"The memorandum of understanding is aimed at helping Beijing
with its ambitious proposals in areas ranging from air, water and
noise pollution up to transport, landscaping and the disposal of
solid wastes," said a UNEP statement.
The UNEP will also help with public awareness campaigns that it
is hoped will leave a lasting legacy among citizens in Beijing and
China generally on the importance of the environment for long
lasting and enduring development, according to the statement.
"Without doubt, sports and sports men and women can be a power
for good in the world inspiring by example and bringing together
communities, nations and cultures in a common understanding of the
principles of peace and fair play," said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP
executive director.
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX
Olympiad (BOCOG) is taking measures to make the upcoming summer
games "a crucial guide for environmentally-friendly mass spectator
events everywhere over the coming years", added Toepfer.
Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics are the
three concepts the organizers are using to promote the 2008 Games
in Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2005)