Klaus Toepfer, head of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), has been awarded an honorary professor title by one of China's most prestigious universities in acknowledgment of his great contribution to the environment protection efforts in China.

At a ceremony in Nairobi on Friday, Toepfer was handed the Letter of Appointment from Tsinghua University by Guo Chongli, China's permanent representative to UNEP and ambassador to Kenya. Honorary professorship is an honor of the highest ranking in Tsinghua University, which is widely believed to be the best one in China, especially in terms of science and engineering.

"I am greatly honored, on behalf of Tsinghua University, to inform you that we have just got the approval from the Ministry of Education of China for conferring on you an honorary professor title," said Gu Binglin, president of Tsinghua University, in a letter read on his behalf by the Chinese ambassador.

"I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations and our appreciation of your outstanding achievements made in academic studies, in administrative work, and in assisting environmental protection and sustainable development in China," he said.

Toepfer, also the United Nations undersecretary-general and the director-general of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, thanked the Chinese side for the exceptional honor, adding that he will continue to work closely with the Chinese government in its endeavor to acquire a better environment in the process of rapid economic development.

"The economic development of China can only be successful if it is integrated with environment protection," said Toepfer.

The Chinese ambassador commended that Toepfer has devoted great enthusiasm and attention to the cause of environmental protection and sustainable development in China, adding that UNEP under his leadership has provided valuable support to China's environmental protection efforts.

Toepfer became executive director of UNEP in February 1998. He is known internationally for his strong commitment to promote environment and sustainable development. His term as head of UNEP expires at the end of this month.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2006)