[but see http://thediliinsider.blogspot.com/2009/10/un-protect-environment-by-deeding-scrap.html]

UN mission strives to protect environment in Timor-Leste: special envoy

10:54, October 24, 2009

The UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) keeps an eye on less energy consumption and more environmental protection while carrying out its mandate in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, a UN special envoy said here Friday.

Atul Khare, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Timor-Leste and head of UNMIT, made the statement as he was briefing the Security Council on the current situation in the island country.

"Timor-Leste as a small, young island state also has to grapple with the challenges of environmental protection," he said. "The environmental footprint of international assistance should therefore be as light as possible."

"UNMIT has been making continuous efforts to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment," he said.

These efforts have resulted in a reduction of 7.8 percent in generator fuel, a savings of approximately 285,000 U.S. dollars, and a 15 percent reduction in photocopier paper usage (3854 reams)over the one-year period ending in August 2009 compared to the previous one-year period, he said.

UNMIT, like other UN missions, is financed by the UN budget for peacekeeping, which is contributed by all UN member states.

The Security Council created UNMIT in August 2006 to help restore order after fighting, attributed to differences between eastern and western regions, broke out in April and May three years ago.

Source: Xinhua

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