Mr. Chairman, Mister President of the International Federation of Environmental Health, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure and indeed an honour for me to address you at the closing of the 6th World Congress on Environmental Health.

We have during these days been convinced, through all the splendid presentations given, that the environment is an important determinant for health and that its importance most probably will increase in future. Accordingly, to gather representatives from institutions dealing with environmental health in a global perspective from time to time for a conference, is relevant and conducive to our common goal. A healthy environment is a prerequisite for health.

Today too many people live under environmental conditions that are a threat to their health. According to WHO, 25 % of all preventable illnesses are directly caused by environmental factors. To develop and ensure a healthy environment for all citizens is a major challenge for the 21st century.

In this endeavour all stakeholders have a role to play. Both local, governmental and non-governmental institutions must co-operate through networks and arenas like the ones shaped by the Local agenda 21 movement. NGOs have lately taken these issues seriously by rightly challenging governments and public institutions. By working together toward a common goal, we will make a difference.This congress is an excellent example of the significance of NGOs with regard to networking and in sharing practical knowledge.

During these five days more than three hundred environment and health professionals from all over the world have come together in Oslo. We have had more than 100 various presentations, both scientific and practical. The knowledge sharing has been enormous, and should be a substantial contribution to making the environment healthier.

The wide-ranging issues of this congress have reflected the complexity within the environmental health field. From community noise to the world's fresh water crises. From green structure use in practice to WHO food safety strategy. But the main focus at this congress, in the more than 20 parallel sessions, has been local tools and techniques. This has been emphasised in the title of this congress: "Healthy Environment - The local challenge." This is a national and global challenge and has to be faced at all levels of society. The slogan: "Think globally - and act locally" can certainly also be used in this context.

My government has developed a wide range of action plans with emphasis on different areas of environment and health. Let me just shortly mention: the action plans on prevention of injuries at home, school and leisure, on prevention of asthma, allergy and diseases from ambient air, on prevention of HIV infection, on prevention of psycho-social factors, on actions to combat microbial resistance and on improving water quality. Let me also underline the importance of our National Environmental Health Action Plan which could be viewed as an overarching plan for the environmental health area. We have just started to develop a comprehensive strategy for the whole field of public health with the aim of highlighting prevention and health promotion as one important cornerstone for all health care systems. I am convinced that prevention both within the environmental as well as within the traditional health field must be further enhanced.

In HEALTH 21 the WHO member states have agreed on targets and strategies to ensure Health for All in the 21 ^st> Century. National measures and support are needed, but these targets can only be achieved by practical work in local communities. This is an important message from this congress.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express thanks to the International Federation of Environmental Health, for their important role in building networks between environmental health professionals. The Federation is focusing on the local challenges which is just opportune and relevant.

Another important strategy to improve people’s health is to integrate environment and health concern into the economic sectors. This is not only about environment and health, we also need to have the finance ministers on board.

Another example of other sectors of society delivering determinants to health, is the transport sector. The health problem related to traffic is significant. Examples are noise, accidents, pollution, degrading green structures and reduction of physical activities. I understand that the transport sessions on Wednesday were basically run by the transport sector. This is in line with my government's policy, namely to delegate responsibility for consequences on health, to the same governmental structure that has the overall portfolio of that specific sector.

It was not only the environment and health sector, discussing problems in the transport sector. It was the transport sector itself raising the issue, together with environment and health sector. This is a right way to work. Health is everybody’s business.

Together we must continue to develop and enhance tools and methodology that can be applied on other sectors to analyse the consequences for environment and health. I am thinking of: Health Impact Assessment, Risk Assessment and Risk Management and Environmental Health Economics.

I have seen that these subjects were on the agenda of several of parallel sessions during this conference. I am following the work and development within these fields with great interest.

In closing, ladies and gentlemen,

I will give my best compliments to "Forum for miljø og helse" for a well run Congress.

And I will like to thank all of you for your active participation in this conference with a clear understanding that by doing so you are all contributing to a strong and active global environment and health network.

I wish you all the best in our common endeavour.

Thank you.