Professor Qu Geping is a world-renowned environmental expert, and advocate and statesman for China's environmental protection policy. He was formerly the Director of the National Environmental Protection Agency, a member of the National People's Congress of China (NPC), a member of the Standing Committee of NPC and Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of NPC from 1993 to 2003.

    Professor Qu is a professor of Beijing University, Qinghua University, Wuhan University, Tongji University, Nanjing University and People's University and a visiting professor of Oxford University and Harvard University. He has several overseas doctorates. In 1989 he was invited to work on the Editorial Committee of the "World Resources Report", and served on the United Nations (UN) High Level Advisory board on Sustainable Development in 1993. He was a member of the UN Secretary General's Panel of Eminent Persons for the UN Summit on Sustainable Development from 2001 to 2002, and since 1994 serves as Senior Advisor to the Global Environment Facility.

    The Honorary Chairman of the Institute is Mr. Maurice Strong, an advisor to, and former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. Previously a Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Mr. Strong was Secretary General of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit). Since 1995 he has been Senior Advisor to the President of the World Bank. Mr Strong was first President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDCR) in Canada. He is currently Chairman of the Earth Council.

    Members of the Oriental Environmental Institute include experts from China and aboard who have been engaged in environmental and resource development research and consultancy work for many years.

    The primary goal of OEI is the advancement of the strategic management of sustainable environmental development. In co-operation with regional and international organizations and NGOs, OEI contributes to the study, promotion and dissemination of policies and laws, science and technologies and industrial development in the field of environmental and resource conservation. Through its research capabilities, OEI provides consultancy advice and recommendations on environmental policies with the purpose of promoting economic sustainable development.

    At the heart of OEI is the Academic Committee which is composed of environmental and sustainable development experts and academics and a group of outstanding young scientists. Expert teams are formed according to the individual research objectives under the supervision of the Committee. OEI has also established rigorous financial protocols to ensure that funds are used to further research objectives efficiently. The Academic Committee guides all research and reviews results in order to ensure high quality service to all parties.