“Annual BAT/BEP Forum for East and South East Asia Countries” and “Forum Board Meetings 2010” was held in Laos PDR during December 5-10. China hosted the Forum as chair country. The forum summarized progress in 2010, discussed the work plan for 2011, launched a MSP on capacity building, and offered opportunities to learn BAT/BEP management experiences in Sweden, thus achieving expected results.

Mr. Yu Lifeng, Deputy Director General of FECO, addressed the opening ceremony. He stated that as the second annual forum with China as the chair country, the Forum has achieved expected results with support from UNIDO and active participation of member countries. Among the six prioritized sectors, work has been initiated in four sectors of power generation, metallurgy, waste incineration and open incineration. In addition, UNIDO organized trainings on the construction of ecological city, policies and regulations, and information exchange. As a result, the Forum has entered into its implementation stage. He also expressed that China would continue to collaborate with UNIDO as the chair country to expand the impact of the forum, promote the application of BAT/BEP within the region, and strive for the elimination and reduction of POPs.

Representatives from members countries such as China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Mongolia, the Ministry of Environment of Sweden and UNIDO participated in the Forum. The Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention was also invited to attend the meeting as an observer. Vice Premier of Laos PDR held a reception for the high level representatives of the Forum. (thanslated by Pan Jie)