Top-level EU-Singapore meeting on the environment The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee of the Singapore-based Regional Institute of Environmental Technology (RIET) took place in Singapore on 14 October 1994. The Committee includes representatives from both RIET and the European Commission and is chaired by Lord Cli... The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee of the Singapore-based Regional Institute of Environmental Technology (RIET) took place in Singapore on 14 October 1994. The Committee includes representatives from both RIET and the European Commission and is chaired by Lord Clinton Davies, former EU Commissioner for Transport, Environment and Nuclear Safety and presently Chairman of the International Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea. RIET was established in 1993 as part of the Singaporese government's Green Plan for the country. The Institute's main objectives are to: - Promote technical, commercial and industrial cooperation with the region and to raise the profile of the EC and Singapore in the area of environmental technology; - Promote the mutually beneficial exchange of environmental technology know-how and skills between the EU, Singapore and the region; - Train and develop an expert manpower pool in environmental technology to provide innovative solutions to the environmental challenges in the region; - Disseminate and exchange information on environmental technology, policies, markets and trends. Last year's Rio Conference on the environment and the Agenda 21 resolution formed the basis for the RIET Steering Committee's deliberations on environmental policy and management as key instruments in promoting sound environmental practice and as a precursor to enhanced environmental technology applications in the region. Only economically viable and market-based instruments backed by sensible regulation and strong enforcement can provide the impetus for future improvements. Congratulating the management team on its accomplishments in establishing RIET as a major regional force in the environmental sector during its first year of operation, Lord Clinton Davies welcomed the initiative as a significant bridge between enterprises in the European Union and Asia. Commenting further on the contacts, business development initiatives and projects that have been established in more than 15 countries throughout the region, he went on to emphasize the importance of the facilitator role of RIET between environmental technology providers and consumers within the region, and between Europe and the region. The Steering Committee approved the work plan and its priorities, the industrial membership programme, and the expansion of RIET's Singapore-based professional staff. The Committee will meet again in Brussels in March 1995. This is planned to coincide with a major conference on European industry which will be organized by RIET. Countries Singapore
