Klaus Toepfer, head of the United Nations Environment Program
(UNEP), has been awarded an honorary professor title by one of
China's most prestigious universities in acknowledgment of his
great contribution to the environment protection efforts in
China.
At a ceremony in Nairobi on Friday, Toepfer was handed the
Letter of Appointment from Tsinghua University by
Guo Chongli, China's permanent representative to UNEP and
ambassador to Kenya. Honorary professorship is an honor of the
highest ranking in Tsinghua University, which is widely believed to
be the best one in China, especially in terms of science and
engineering.
"I am greatly honored, on behalf of Tsinghua University, to
inform you that we have just got the approval from the Ministry of
Education of China for conferring on you an honorary professor
title," said Gu Binglin, president of Tsinghua University, in a
letter read on his behalf by the Chinese ambassador.
"I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations and our
appreciation of your outstanding achievements made in academic
studies, in administrative work, and in assisting environmental
protection and sustainable development in China," he said.
Toepfer, also the United Nations undersecretary-general and the
director-general of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, thanked
the Chinese side for the exceptional honor, adding that he will
continue to work closely with the Chinese government in its
endeavor to acquire a better environment in the process of rapid
economic development.
"The economic development of China can only be successful if it
is integrated with environment protection," said Toepfer.
The Chinese ambassador commended that Toepfer has devoted great
enthusiasm and attention to the cause of environmental protection
and sustainable development in China, adding that UNEP under his
leadership has provided valuable support to China's environmental
protection efforts.
Toepfer became executive director of UNEP in February 1998. He
is known internationally for his strong commitment to promote
environment and sustainable development. His term as head of UNEP
expires at the end of this month.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2006)