The 2017 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2017MIECF) is hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and co-organised by the provincial and regional governments in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (Pan-PRD) Region. The event additionally has the backing of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China, and the country’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as Special Supporting Organisations. MIECF is co-ordinated by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA). The 2017MIECF will be held in Macao from 30 March to 1 April 2017.

This year’s MIECF marks the 10-year milestone of the event and is being held under the theme “Innovative Green Development for a Sustainable Future”. The event brings together renowned worldwide experts from the environmental sector, government officials, business people and professional organisations. They will participate in various official activities, exchange sessions and policy discussions, taking the opportunity to debate opportunities in the green business sector and to promote the development of the local environmental services industry.

Since its inception in 2008, MIECF has become a leading event in the Pan-PRD Region and a reference for other countries and regions regarding international environmental issues. The activities during the 2017MIECF include a “Green Showcase”, a “Green Forum”, “Green Matching” and a “Green Public Day”. MIECF acts as a ‘green platform’ for environment-friendly business, as well as an information and technology exchange platform between the Pan-PRD Region and international markets, generating fresh business opportunities and promoting environmental awareness. In 2011 the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) certified MIECF.

MIECF – nine years of growth

The size of the exhibition area – known as the “Green Showcase” – has been significantly expanded over the years. It covered more than 16,900 square metres last year, compared to 6,900 square metres in 2008. During that period, the number of exhibitors has increased to more than 460 from 20 countries and regions (including the “9+2” provinces and regions from the Pan-PRD Region), compared in 2008 where there were 164 exhibitors from eight countries and regions. MIECF receives continuous support from the provincial and regional governments and relevant public departments in the Pan-PRD Region. Last year the event attracted more than 215 organisations. A total of 60 forums of sectoral professionals have been held across the past nine years of MIECF. More than 240 co-operation agreements have been signed, of which more than 90 percent have been implemented, involving a number of countries and regions: Mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Macao, Mozambique, Portugal, Singapore and Taiwan;. All participating parties have indicated that MIECF has gradually become a key platform between the Pan-PRD Region and the environmental sector internationally.

In order better to complement community progress in environmental protection, MIECF has continued enriching and optimising its content and initiatives, promoting exchanges and showcasing the latest eco-friendly products and technologies. In 2011, a number of local hotels were for the first time invited to participate in MIECF’s “Green Matching” activity. Since 2013, the aisles of the event were left uncarpeted and recyclable building materials have been used for setting-up of the venue in order to promote the concept of MIECF as a truly green exhibition. Since they were implemented, these measures have on average helped reduce the waste of MIECF by nearly 80 percent. That year the organisers also worked in collaboration with environmental sector organisations from Guangdong province in order to organise the “MICE Through-train Service”, facilitating the participation of Pan-PRD Region professionals in MIECF-related activities.

Taking into account the State Council’s “Guidelines on Deepening the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation”, the 2016MIECF hosted a “Green Session – Solid Waste Management Policies and Technology in the Pan-PRD” and a “Pan-PRD Regional Environmental Technology Seminar”, along with related seminars. A themed exhibition area was also set up last year, covering the topics of waste management, green construction and green transportation. Additionally in 2016, guided tours of the event were introduced for representatives of the procurement divisions of government departments.

2017MIECF strengthens role as ‘green platform’

The 2017MIECF will be held under the theme “Innovative Green Development for a Sustainable Future”. This is in response to the global environmental campaign aimed at turning green innovation into the main driving force of social development, and in order to complement the key development guidelines of Mainland China’s 13^th Five-Year Plan. “Green Development” was not only mentioned in the “13^th Five-Year Plan for the Protection of the Ecological Environment” and in the “Guidelines on Deepening the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation” issued by the State Council last year, but is also a topic in the “Macao SAR’s Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020)” that was promulgated by the SAR Government. In marking the 10^th anniversary of MIECF, 2017MIECF will further deliver on Macao’s role as a platform for co-operation and exchange between the Pan-PRD Region and international markets; with particular reference to the environmental sector in Mainland China, the European Union and Portuguese-speaking Countries, thus facilitating co-operation and development among international environmental protection enterprises.

MIECF continues to enjoy the support of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China, and the country’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environmental Protection. This year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has joined the line-up of Special Supporting Organisations for MIECF, evidence of the prominence of the event as a ‘green platform’ to promote environmental protection in the region.

Mr Achim Steiner, a former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, will be the keynote speaker of the “Green Forum” at 2017MIECF, where a range of innovations and trends related to topics including coastal development, green buildings, industrial development and climate change will be discussed. This year’s “Green Showcase” will further efforts to promote the latest green building materials and other innovative environment-friendly products and solutions.

Together with the “Online Business Matching Service Platform”, 2017MIECF will promote regional environmental business exchanges and collaboration, and enhance new green business opportunities. The “Green Public Day” will serve not only to open MIECF’s doors to the community, but also to host a series of parent-child activities. These will help the public learn more about the growing trend internationally for awareness of environmental protection issues, thus enhancing regional public knowledge of such topics and encouraging the public to take the initiative in putting environmental concepts into everyday practice. For further information about 2017MIECF, please visit the official website: http://www.macaomiecf.com/miecf2017/

MIECF marks its 10^th anniversary this year