PARLIAMENTARY HEARING AT THE UNITED NATIONS

New York, 2-3 December 2010

Towards economic recovery:

Rethinking development, retooling global governance

Session III

Rethinking sustainable development within the current global economic and environmental framework

INTERVENTION

by Senator Puiu HASOTTI, Romania

Mr. Chairman,

Dear colleagues,

Thank you for giving me the floor. 

The global economic downturn is just one of the many challenges we face: climate change, loss of biodiversity, pandemics, and resource-based risks – particularly water, energy and food, driven by growing populations and unsustainable consumption behaviors.  

Some estimate that by 2030 the demand for both food and energy could rise 50%, while the demand for water could rise 30%. Meeting such demands will require major investments, scientific and technological advance, and an enhanced political and economic cooperation. All these factors must be integrated in a sustainable development approach. 

The financial and economic crisis has created room for public policies aimed at encouraging recovery and renewed growth on more environmentally and socially sustainable grounds. Many fiscal stimulus packages contain measures specifically aimed at greening the recovery, including renewable energy, green buildings, clean transportation, water management, and waste management.

I will conclude with a question for our distinguished key-note speakers: how do you see the role of the public-private partnerships in advancing transition towards the green economy?

Thank you for your attention.