Plenary sessions


► Plenary Session 1: Trade and the Environment 

Trends in international trade and the environment are mutually interdependent. On the one hand trade liberalization may exaggerate environment trends through increased resource consumption and pollution, and may also lead to the ‘social dumping’ of high polluting industries to low-regulation countries. On the other hand, environmental regulation can help to alleviate these adverse effects and to find a more optimum balance between the often divergent demands of growth and environmental preservation. In light of the fact that unilateral regulation may limit a country’s competitiveness and reduce growth, finding such an optimum in a world with limited inter-country coordination of environment regulation is difficult. This plenary introduces the trade/environment paradigm, raises the need for global coordination, and emphasizes the importance of science in developing methods that will enable the benefits of trade to be sustainably captured. 

Chaired by:

Yuesheng WANG, Director, Department of International Economics, School of Economics, Peking University

Yuesheng WANG is, Doctoral Supervisor, Chair of the Department of International Economics and Trade, Director of Institute of International Economic Research in Peking University.
His research interests:
- World economy and China's economy
- International enterprises system and multinational enterprises
- New institutional economy and transition economy 

Speakers

Youngjiang GU, Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies

Mr. GU Youngjiang, Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies served as Member of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Commercial Affairs Officer of Chinese Embassy to Canada, General-manager of China National Machinery and Equipment I/E Corporation. In 1988, he began to act as the Assistant Minister, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China (MOFTEC). In 1996, he was the Board Chairman of China Resources (Holdings) Co., Ltd.

Jiahuang WU, Vice-Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies

Mr. Wu Jiahuang is currently Vice-Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies and member of the Advisory Committee of the Tariff Commission of the State Council.
Since 1999 he has practiced consultancy for transnational corporations in the field of trade, investment and WTO related issues. He acted as market access chief negotiator in China’s GATT/WTO Negotiation Team for 13 years. Mr. Wu served as Deputy Director-General and Director-General of Tariff Department of China’s Customs General Administration, counselor for GATT Affairs in China’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, member of Textiles Surveillance Body established under the Agreement regarding International Trade in Textiles, Director for UNCTAD and GATT affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economics Cooperation (MOFTEC) ,a commercial secretary for UN Economic Affair in China’s permanent mission in Geneva., a trade officer in the Third Regional Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Trade.
From 1978 to 1981 he served the United Nation headquarters in Geneva as conference affairs officer.  He organized UNCTAC meetings and conferences, acting as Chairman’s right-hand man.  

Xiangchen ZHANG, Minister and deputy permanent representative of China’s mission to WTO

Prior to his current position, Dr. Zhang was the Director General for WTO Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of China from 2005 to 2008, and he was responsible for internal coordination and external organization for China’s engagement in WTO trade negotiations, especially the Doha Round. After China’s accession to WTO in 2001, Dr. Zhang also represented the Chinese government during annual reviews of China’s trade policies by other WTO members, responding to concerns about policy formulation and implementation.
In 2005, Dr. Zhang was named China’s chief representative for Sino-Australian FTA negotiation.
From 1992 to 2001, Dr. Zhang was a leading aide to China’s Chief Representative for GATT/WTO accession negotiation.
Dr. Zhang holds a JD degree from Peking University. He was an advanced visiting scholar at the Institute of International Relations of John Hopkins University of U.S.in 2002.His main publications include The World outside Window :WTO and globalization in my eyes(July 2008) ,Sino-US Relations after WTO(September 2002) and Developing Countries in WTO :Politics and Economics(January 2000).

Harry CLARKE, Professor of Economics, La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia

Dr Harry Clarke is Professor of Economics at La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia.  He obtained his PhD from the Australian National University. His major current research work concerns resource and environmental economics and the economics of global climate change in particular.  He has authored over 100 scientific publications and two books. He lives with his wife and three children in Melbourne Australia.

​Pierre Marc JOHNSON, former Premier of Québec

A former Premier of Québec, Pierre Marc Johnson, lawyer and physician, has been of counsel to Heenan Blaikie since 1996. He is recognized for his expertise in international trade negotiations and international partnerships as well as environmental and health law. He is chief advisor and chief negotiator for the Government of Québec in the softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the United States. Mr. Johnson has been lead counsel and strategic adviser to international partnerships and foreign investments with respect to new information technologies, entertainment, real estate and financial products. He has extensive experience in international negotiations with the United Nations on environmental and development issues. He has advised the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), an international organization created by Canada, Mexico and the United States under the North-American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) and has chaired in 2004 the Ten-year Review and Assessment Committee overseeing the application of the Agreement for its Ministerial Council. In 2003, he chaired a similar effort for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Guang XIA, Director General of the PRCEE, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China

Dr. XIA  was born in 1961, he is the Director General and Senior Research Fellow of the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, Ministry of Environmental Protection(MEP) , China. He is also a member of the Science and Technology Committee of MEP and a member of the Leading Group of WTO, Trade and Environment of MEP. He also engaged as a syndic member of the China People’s Diplomacy Association, a member of Standing Committee of China Association of Environmental Sciences, the Professor of China Renmin University and Shanghai Financial and Economic University. etc. He has published 7 books, more than 160 journal articles, and led more than 30 research projects, and gained the Scientific and Technological Award of MEP, and the Award for Excellent Doctorate of China Renmin University, etc. 

​Youfu XIA, Professor at University of International Business & Economics

XIA is a professor at University of International Business & Economics(UIBE); Director of China’s Academy for Opening Economy(CAFOE), Standing Member of China Economic and Social Coucil(CESC), Chairman of Expert Consultancy Committee to China’s Ministry of Commerce on WTO Negotiation Issue of Trade and Environment, Council Member of China Association of International trade. He specializes in China’s opening-up and sustainable development, WTO and technical barriers to trade, China-EU economic cooperation. He received Master’s degree at UIBE in 1987. He won 10 awards at and above the provincial or ministerial levels. He wrote and coauthored 40 academic books, published more than 100 papers. He completed more than 40 projects entrusted by the State, some Ministries and UNCTAD, ESCAP.  

Zhang YANSHENG, Director, Institute for International Economic Research

Professor Zhang YANSHENG is a senior fellow and the director general of the Institute for International Economic Research (IIER) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of P. R. China. He has been working for IIER since 1996. Professor Zhang is also guest professor in a number of universities such as Renmin University, Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Central University of Finance and Economics. He is the vice director on the academic board of the Faculty of International Study of the Wuhan University. Professor Zhang currently supervises research students in international finance and international trade. 
Professor Zhang holds MSc. in Economics (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1984). He has been a visiting fellow in Colorado University, Toronto University, and World Bank EDI from 1986 to 1988.
Professor Zhang has publicized more than 20 Chinese and English monographs (including co-author), more than 200 papers. Zhang was awarded the SunYefang Economic Science Works Prize, the First Class Excellent Research Prize of the NDRC, China Development Research Prize and other prizes.

Harvey FINEBERG, President, National Institute of Medicine, USA

Dr. Fineberg helped found and served as president of the Society for Medical Decision Making and also served as consultant to the World Health Organization. At the Institute of Medicine, he has chaired and served on a number of panels dealing with health policy issues, ranging from AIDS to new medical technology. He also served as a member of the Public Health Council of Massachusetts (1976-1979), as chairman of the Health Care Technology Study Section of the National Center for Health Services Research (1982-1985), and as president of the Association of Schools of Public Health (1995-1996).

 Plenary Session 2: Urbanization and the Environment 

Several regions of the world are facing important challenges since they have to deal with a fast-paced urbanization combined with a weakening environment. On the one hand, there is a general consensus on the need to protect environmental resources and to integrate the carbon constraint. On the other hand, the urban ratio of the world's population is projected to reach 60% by 2030. Despite the striking sprawl of mega cities and the challenges it presents, most of the population increase will happen in smaller cities and towns. Therefore, these global phenomena will change the way cities are managed locally and will create major mutations in the future (infrastructure, land use, etc.). Important transformations are already perceptible such as the development of “green cities”. 

Chaired by:

Chen AIMIN, Vice President of SiChuan University

       

Speakers

Baoxing QIU, Vice Minister, Ministry of Construction, China

     

Bharat DAHIYA, Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific, JAPAN

Dr. Bharat DAHIYA is a Human Settlements Adviser at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). Dr. Dahiya’s academic foundations lay in urban and regional planning and geography, through his Masters studies at two prestigious universities in India, namely, the School of Planning and Architecture and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, both based in New Delhi. His doctoral research at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, focused on the study of urban environment, civil society and governance in the Asian context.
 
Dr. Dahiya has extensively written on the issues of urban environment, development and governance, including policy and strategy notes on the Millennium Development Goals and urban poverty. He conducted the first systematic review of the World Bank’s investments in improving urban liveability, published as a co-authored book, Urban Environment and Infrastructure: Toward Livable Cities (2004), in the Bank’s Directions in Development Series. This evaluative work developed the concept of the Expanded Brown Agenda – which included in the Brown Agenda the sustainable urban planning and development issues related to the prevention and mitigation of the urban impacts of natural disasters and climate change. At present, Dr. Dahiya is the substantive editor of the first State of Asian Cities Report 2010, which looks into the state of Asian cities with regard to demographic trends, economic productivity, urban poverty and social inclusion, urban environment and climate change, and urban governance.

François MOISAN, executive Director of Strategy and Research and Scientific Director, ADEME

François MOISAN is executive Director of Strategy and Research and Scientific Director of ADEME, the French Agency on Environment and Energy Management. ADEME is in charge of implementing in France the “Grenelle de l’environnement” with several funds including the research demonstrators new fund (400 M€) for new energy technologies.
He joined the French Agency on Energy in 1982.
He was Chairman of IEA (International Energy Agency) energy efficiency working party (2002-2005) and Chairman of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE, sister of ACEEE).
He is Chairman of the Energy Efficiency Committee of World Energy Council. He was involved in Kyoto Protocol negotiation from 1997 to 2004. He is member of the International Partnership on Hydrogen Economy as French representative. François Moisan is Electrical Engineer and Doctor in Economic Science (Université de Grenoble)

Chaolin GU, Professor, the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University

GU, Chaolin Professor at the Department of Urban Planning, the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University. Dr GU is the Vice President of the Geographical Association of China, Director of the Urban Geography Professional Commission, GSC; Councilman of Urban Planning Society of China, Councilman of China Society for Administrative Division and Toponymy. In addition, he is the member of Urban Planning expert Panel of MOHURD and the expert Panel of NDRC. He serves on the editorial boards of some journals, such as, the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Urban and Regional Planning ResearchActa Geographica SinicaGeographical ResearchScientia Geographica SinicaCity Planning ReviewEconomic GeographyUrban Planning ForumUrban Studies and Planners in China. 

Shiqiu ZHANG, Deputy Dean, Peking University

ZHANG Shiqiu is Professor and deputy dean of College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University (PKU, China). She is also served as the director of the Institute of Environment and Economy (IoEE) of PKU. She has been conducting various research projects related to environment and development issues which covers Environmental and Resources Economics, Environmental Policy, and Environmental Management.
She is a Senior expert member of UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel for implementing Montreal Protocol, Co-Chair of the Task force for Replenishment of the Multilateral Fund of Montreal Protocol. She is a member of Advisory Committee of Environment and Economy Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA). 

Kai WANG, Deputy Chief Planner, China Academy of Urban Planning and Design

WANG Kai, Deputy Chief Planner, China Academy of Urban Planning and Design , Senior Urban Planner, Ph.D. Member of experts of Ministry of Housing and Construction, member of council of Chinese Urban Planning Society, Academic visitor of Cardiff University, UK.
Mr. Wang is experience in various kinds of work and familiar with urbanization, urban policy, urban and regional planning.

Saskia SASSEN, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University, USA

Saskia Sassen is the Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology and Member, The Committee on Global Thought, Columbia University (www.saskiasassen.com). Her new books are Territory, Authority, Rights: From Medieval to Global Assemblages ( Princeton University Press 2008) and A Sociology of Globalization (W.W.Norton 2007). Other recent books are the 3rd. fully updated Cities in a World Economy (Sage 2006), the edited  Deciphering the Global (Routledge 2007), and the co-edited Digital Formations: New Architectures for Global Order (Princeton University Press 2005).  She has just completed for UNESCO a five-year project on sustainable human settlement with a network of researchers and activists in over 30 countries; it is published as one of the volumes of the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (Oxford, UK: EOLSS Publishers) [http://www.eolss.net ]. The Global City  came out in a new fully updated edition in 2001.  Her books are translated into twentyone languages. She has received several honors and awards, most recently a doctor honoris causa from Delft University and DePaul University. She serves on several editorial boards and is an advisor to several international bodies. She is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the National Academy of Sciences Panel on Cities, and chaired the Information Technology and International Cooperation Committee of the Social Science Research Council (USA). She has written for The Guardian, The New York Times, Le Monde, the International Herald Tribune, Newsweek International, OpenDemocracy.net, Vanguardia, Clarin, the Financial Times, HuffingtonPost.com, among others.
► Roundtable: Europe-Asia cooperation

 (Chaired by Shi Yonghai)

Support and initiatives ranging from multilateral agencies to city-to-city dialogue are growing between the European and Asian regions in order to promote sustainable development and clean trade. The development of joint programs and the sharing of good practices in the field of education, technologies and scientific expertise are just so many opportunities to promote and implement new sustainable pathways.

The questions addressed include:

1. What should be the main objectives of greater cooperation between Europe and Asia in terms of trade and the environment and/or urbanization and the environment?
2. What is the most important thing to do to increase, strengthen or enlarge Europe-Asia cooperation on the environment?
3. What role could city-level cooperation play, and what measures could cities take in this? 
 

Youngjiang GU, Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies

Mr. GU Youngjiang, Chairman of China Society for WTO Studies served as Member of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Commercial Affairs Officer of Chinese Embassy to Canada, General-manager of China National Machinery and Equipment I/E Corporation. In 1988, he began to act as the Assistant Minister, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China (MOFTEC). In 1996, he was the Board Chairman of China Resources (Holdings) Co., Ltd.

Adil NAJAM, Frederick S. Pardee Professor of Global Public Policy; Director, Pardee Center

Dr. Adil Najam is the Frederick S. Pardee Professor of Global Public Policy and Director of the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future at Boston University. He is also a professor of International Relations and of Geography and Environment at Boston University and a Visiting Professor of Negotiation and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
Prof. Najam was a lead author for the third and fourth assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), work for which the IPCC was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace. In 2008 he was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to serve on the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP). In 2009, the President of Pakistan conferred on him one of Pakistan’s highest civil honors,  the medal Sitara-i-Imtiaz (SI), for his distinguished services to education and environment.
 

HUANG Luxin, Director, Department of international Cooperation and Development, China

  • 1986, Bsc Landscape Architecture, Architecture Department, Tongji University
  • 1986-present, working with China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD)
  • 2000, Senior Planner and Registered Planner
  • 2001, Msc Urban Planning, CUPEM, Iniversity of Hong Kong
  • 2002-present, Director, Department of International Cooperation and Development, CAUPD
  • 2007-present, Director, International Planning Research Studio, CAUPD & Deputy Director and Secretary General, ACoFSUP & Member of Editorial Board, Urban Planning International
  • 2009, Member of Directors, Urban Planning Society of China
  • Key research interest: Community development and planning, eco-city planning.

Laurence TUBIANA, Director IDDRI, France and Head of Dpt. of global public goods, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Laurence Tubiana is founder of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) in Paris. She is also professor and director of the Sustainable Development Center at Sciences Po Paris. She was recently asked to set up the new direction of Global Publics Goods of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. She follows and participates in the international negotiations on climate change, in which IDDRI is highly involved. She is member of several scientific boards of main research institutions such as the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the Indian Sustainable Development Council and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.
 
From 1997 to 2002, Laurence Tubiana served as senior advisor to the Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, on environmental issues and conducted a number of international negotiations on this subject. She was also member of the French Council of Economic Analysis and research director for the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). She has been a representative of the European NGOs at the World Bank and founded the French-based NGO Solagral.
 Founder of the journal Le Courrier de la Planète, she published a number of articles and books on environment, development and international issues. Since 2007, she has co-directed the publication of the annual review Sustainable Development in Action – A Planet for Life.
 Laurence Tubiana studied at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and holds a PhD in economics.

Zhang YANSHENG, Director, Institute for International Economic Research

Professor Zhang YANSHENG is a senior fellow and the director general of the Institute for International Economic Research (IIER) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of P. R. China. He has been working for IIER since 1996. Professor Zhang is also guest professor in a number of universities such as Renmin University, Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Central University of Finance and Economics. He is the vice director on the academic board of the Faculty of International Study of the Wuhan University. Professor Zhang currently supervises research students in international finance and international trade. 
Professor Zhang holds MSc. in Economics (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1984). He has been a visiting fellow in Colorado University, Toronto University, and World Bank EDI from 1986 to 1988.
Professor Zhang has publicized more than 20 Chinese and English monographs (including co-author), more than 200 papers. Zhang was awarded the SunYefang Economic Science Works Prize, the First Class Excellent Research Prize of the NDRC, China Development Research Prize and other prizes.