What was the reasoning behind getting China involved in the programs at the outset?

We got China involved, as I have mentioned before, because of a similarity in problems. Also, China has achieved a lot in terms of dealing with environmental issues. The experience that the Chinese have can really be useful to African countries. At the same time, African countries also have some experience that can help the Chinese side. Chinese and African scientists work together in the program and use applicable technologies in different circumstances. I can see that in some places in Morocco, they use different technologies from those used in Kenya. This is because scientists must act according to the situations of the two countries in terms of water availability, farmers' knowledge, and so on.

Are there any plans to further promote UNEP-China-Africa cooperation?

We certainly have plans to further promote the program. We are doing that already. We are expanding our activities. We are attracting a lot of partners inside China. Before, we worked only with the Ministry of Science and Technology, but we are going to start working with other ministries dealing with the environment, commerce and so on. The program is becoming very successful. Water issues in Africa are really a dilemma. Africa is rich in water resources, but it's still poor in terms of availability to people. So, there is a gap between the availability of the water and the use of the resource. There is a lot of space to work in to make sure that water is plentifully available and that people can use water in a clean and safe way.

With three African countries included in Chinese President Xi Jinping's first state visit overseas as president, how do you see the prospects for China-Africa cooperation, particularly in the area of environmental protection?

I think it is very important for both sides to promote this kind of cooperation. China has long been supporting African countries. Africans always see China as a good partner. For us, as the United Nations, what we are trying to do is simply coordinate this cooperation. We are trying to allow both sides to benefit from the experience they have, and also make sure that both parties will implement environmental protection policies. We promote South-South cooperation between China and Africa in that respect. I think it will be beneficial for both parties.

China is developing rapidly, but is now facing serious environmental issues, such as hazy weather and polluted water. How, in your opinion,  can developing countries protect their environment while developing their economies?

I think protecting the environment is not about not doing things, but about doing things right. We should not stop development, but we should pursue development in a way that will benefit the next generation. The idea of a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty alleviation is about that. It is about using natural resources in a way that still promotes development but also allows countries to still keep their environment clean. This has been pursued in many countries, as demonstrated by clean energy use in some of the countries, sustainable use of water resources and sustainable solid waste management. All of these will lead to a win-win situation in the end.