On our way from Switzerland to Dubai we flew over the Alps and the dams - water as far as the eye could see. A few hours later we were flying over the desert and the night sky was lit up by the flames from the oil - oil as far as the eye could see. There is so much water in our countries, and there is so much oil, and sun, in your countries.

Seen from the sky, the earth appears to us as it really is: a world whose riches are very unevenly distributed.

It is our job as environment ministers to ensure that we humans can enjoy these riches without endangering the planet.

And these riches are boundless: take, for example, the Grammostola spatulata. This tarantula spider was living in Chile without a care in the world. But one fine day in 2001 its fortunes changed when the journal "Nature" chose to shine the spotlight on it. Why? It was nothing that the spider had done. It just happens to secrete a peptide molecule that calms the irregular heartbeat of a rabbit. Scientists have latched on to this and are not going to let go. And it is easy to see why: this peptide could be used to treat palpitations, angina or even heart failure.

The story can now take one of two paths.

In the first scenario, the Grammostola falls victim to insecticides and becomes extinct. The insects that it used to capture in its web prosper and multiply, destroy the vegetation and play havoc with Chile's ecosystem. Another creature is lost to the world.
The reason we meet each year is to pre-empt this type of scenario and to find answers to the problems of our times, from protection of species to protection of the climate.
One of these issues is the responsibility of countries manufacturing substances that have a harmful impact on people and nature. I am thinking particularly of chemicals.My country is a major exporter and therefore must ensure that countries which use pesticides are aware of the dangers involved in using them.

The role of industrialised countries and developing countries is another issue. We all have to take responsibility in our different ways. It is up to those who use natural resources and who create pollution to bear the cost of their activities. It is the Polluter Pays Principle; it is not the victims of pollution who should have to pay.

In our best interests

Our environment policy is a way of defending our interests: that is, our health, our quality of life and our economy.

For example, we are taking steps to reduce global warming.
To succeed, we must produce and use renewable energies. This makes it possible to create jobs in every part of the world and thus to treat the environment with respect while being less dependent on transporting large amounts of energy across the world. It is in our best interests.
All the more reason as, in the long term, we will run out of oil, even in this country here.

We need two things in order to fulfil our responsibilities and defend our interests better:

a) firstly, strong institutions, and

b) secondly, goals.

a) The existing system is fragmented. Activities are duplicated and there is a lack of coherence. This must change.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) needs to see its authority strengthened so that it and does provide overarching policy guidance and ensure coherence between the various existing conventions, following the example of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

b) We also need goals.

Up to now we have set ourselves clear objectives in some areas.

Where biodiversity is concerned, we have decided to achieve by 2010 significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss.
As for chemicals, our objective is to minimize their negative effects on the environment and health by 2020.
As far as the climate is concerned, we of course have the famous Kyoto protocol, whereby nearly all the industrialised nations have pledged to reduce their CO2 emissions by 2012.

The impact of Kyoto

This protocol, which in a few days' time will have been in force for one year, has changed the course of our planet's environmental history.

The undertaking made by ratification has sparked huge debates; it has made people aware of the climate issue; it has mobilised states, individuals and business circles. To reach the financial goals that we have set for ourselves at Kyoto, we have to follow a sustainable policy. It is essential both for the climate and for economic and social development - because the countries that are the most innovative in respect of energy-saving and renewable energies will also be the countries most able to ensure their own development. And the safest, too: the conflicts of the 21st century will still be wars over energy.

We did not get where we are today without the goals set at Kyoto in 1997 and we will not be able to achieve the sustainable development to which we aspire if we do not have ambitious environmental goals. We will not be able to combat poverty effectively. And this means that we will not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Based on these considerations, therefore, our country proposes that:

We reconfirm the goals that we have set for the protection of the environment.
we set out all our goals in a document - following the example of the Millenium Development Goals and complemented with criteria and indicator for their implementation.

An agenda like this would be a valuable tool. It would stimulate our efforts, make them more visible, more accessible to everyone and we would be able to make our governments and our people more aware of the issues at stake.

These goals should be formulated as clearly as possible so that we can will chart our progress. In ten years' time we should examine the results and, if necessary, redefine our goals.

"Global Environmental Goals"

This agenda for the environment with its goals and steps to follow is what we need. We must put pressure on ourselves because this is still the best way forward.

Setting our sights on "Global Environmental Goals" is the path that will lead to action. And it is the course that Switzerland proposes.

But, to return to our spider, its extinction is not inevitable. It is up to us to come up with an alternative. It is up to us to protect biodiversity and with it the Grammostola spatulata. In this scenario, the spider will start out on the road to success. The peptide it secretes will be used to manufacture a new drug. It will offer relief to many people with heart problems and it will push up sales in the pharmaceuticals industry.

In a word, the Grammostola spider will create thousands of jobs.

This is what we call a happy ending but the story is only just beginning!

The job-creating spider