The Chief Executive has appointed Edgar Cheng as Council for Sustainable Development Chairman from July 1, covering the rest of the council's two-year term that began March 1.

The appointment of a non-official as the council chairman is part of the transfer of sustainable development as a policy portfolio from the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office to the new Environment Bureau under the Government Secretariat's re-organisation, which will take effect on the same day.

The change in council chairmanship, along with the transfer of responsibilities, are complementary moves to strengthen the Government's commitment toward sustainable development, by strengthening the stakeholder-led process for the council and facilitating added professional input by integrating the council secretariat with the Environmental Protection Department.

An enhanced stakeholder-led process for the council is in line with the Chief Executive's commitment to encourage greater public participation in the formulation of Government policies.

The Chief Executive also made new official appointments to the council to tie in with the reshuffling of portfolios under the re-organisation. The new appointees are the Secretaries for the Environment, Transport & Housing, Development, and Home Affairs.

Other members are Lily Chiang, Choy So-yuk, Barrie Cook, Christine Fang, Hans Michael Jebsen, Thomas Kwok, Michael Lai, Lam Kin-che, Otto Poon, Tai Hay-lap and Tsui Lap-chee.