On the morning of April 23rd, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, Erik Solheim, was invited to Tsinghua University. He participated in GEP Toptalk at the library auditorium with the theme "World Earth Day 2023: Invest in Our Planet" and delivered a keynote speech.
Speech by Liu Shuming
Liu Shuming, Chairman of SOE School Council at Tsinghua University, warmly welcomed Erik Solheim. He said that the School of Environment at Tsinghua University has been actively contributing to global environmental governance over the years. This includes the establishment of the Global Environmental Program, hosting GEP MCCCOPS, and guiding students in forming various environmental clubs. Combining class learning and practical activities, SOE is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of talent in global environmental governance.
Speech by Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim delivered a speech, drawing upon his firsthand experiences in China. Taking Beijing as an example, he highlighted the significant improvements in air quality and living standards over the past decade. Solheim compared these positive changes with the measures and outcomes of China's integrated approach to ecological environmental protection and socio-economic development. Then, he talked about development models in developed countries such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. Solheim holds the view that traditional economic development paradigms often come with severe pollution, while contemporary high-tech solutions can effectively balance environmental protection and economic growth. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges from past development, including air pollution, ecological degradation, and climate change. Regarding the necessary actions humanity should take, Solheim used examples like solar panels and new energy vehicles to emphasize proposed measures in the areas of energy, transportation, technological development, circular economy, and nature conservation. He expressed that through collaborative efforts among nations, humanity is poised to embrace a brighter future.
The round-table talk
During the round-table talk, undergraduates from the School of Environment at Tsinghua University - Liang Shuangxian, Cheng Haosheng, Shen Liling, Liu Jingyi, and Zhang Junpeng, as representatives, raised questions successively. The topics ranged from sustainable development, the "Belt and Road" Initiative, to international aid, etc. Erik Solheim answered the questions one by one.
On behalf of the event organizers and hosts, Zhang Shangchen, Executive Director of the Student Association on Net-zero Future, presented a Tsinghua University Anniversary Commemorative Album to Erik Solheim.
Group photo of the event
Erik Solheim, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, currently serves as the External Vice-Chairman of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). From 2005 to 2012, Solheim held the position of Minister of the Environment and International Development in Norway. During this period, he initiated the Global Rainforest Conservation Initiative and facilitated several far-reaching national legislations, including the Biological Diversity Act and legislation related to the protection of the urban forests of Oslo.
GEP Toptalk is one of the special events organized by the Global Environmental Program. It focuses on inviting authoritative experts to engage in face-to-face conversations with students. Toptalk is primarily planned and hosted by students from the Global Environmental Program. In addition to listening to cutting-edge speeches and broadening their international perspectives, students also have the opportunity to enhance their English communication skills and gain experience in organizing and planning.
Professor Wang Shuxiao, the responsible professor for the Global Environmental Program at Tsinghua University, Pang Xiao, Deputy Director of the Secretariat of the BRI International Green Development Coalition at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center, Zhang Runzhou, Deputy Director of the Student Global Competence Development Guidance Center at Tsinghua University, Assistant Director Shi Zhidan, Fu Yanan, Foreign Affairs Commissioner at the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University, and more than 60 students from various departments participated in the event.
