The Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition 2018 (2018MIECF), hosted by the Macao SAR Government, is being held at CotaiExpo at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel for three days from today, with the theme “Shaping of Eco-Cities for Inclusive Green Economy”. Representatives from the governmental, industrial and academic sectors across the world – including countries and places covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative; places in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; Portuguese-speaking Countries; and European countries, etc. – have gathered in Macao to discuss global environmental issues and trends, exchange the latest information on environmental protection and technology, and seek opportunities in “green business”.

The opening ceremony was held today (12 April). In his welcoming speech, Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, outlined the Macao SAR Government’s efforts to actively integrate Macao into the overall development of the nation. He also outlined the city’s cooperation with: the national “Belt and Road” initiative; “Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation” and the creation of the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”, which will bring important opportunities to the future of Macao society. While seizing the above development opportunities, Macao would continue actively to promote cooperation in environmental protection and the development of the “green” economy, said Dr. Chui. Among other things, Macao would make use of its advantage as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries; and would act as a promoter of green cooperation between China and the world, actively helping the Pan-Pearl River Delta region industry to “go global” and introduce advanced technology. The MIECF hosts and co-organisers are committed to building a significant platform for “green” cooperation, not just for the benefit of the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, but also the world. This would contribute, said the Chief Executive, to the transfer of environmental protection technologies and help promote sustainable development in all regions. Macao would also strive to work with all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of construction of an ecologically-sustainable civilization.

At the 2018MIECF opening Mr. Ren Xianguang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Resources Conservation and Environmental Protection at the National Development and Reform Commission, represented Mr. He Lifeng, Vice-Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission. Mr. Ren said that the theme of this year “Shaping of Eco-Cities for Inclusive Green Economy” was in line with the trend of policy and the requirements of national development and needs of the people. Studying such matters would help speed up exploration of sustainable ways to achieve coordinated development of the economy, society, resources, environment, and potential of the population. The National Development and Reform Commission would implement in depth the strategy of sustainable development, carrying out the key tasks involved in the prevention and treatment of pollution, and accelerating the construction of a resource-efficient, environment-friendly “green” development system; and forming a fresh approach to modernisation in terms of human development that is in harmony with nature. The focus, he said, must be placed on implementing five initiatives: cultivating new momentum in advancing green development; achieving breakthroughs in addressing major environmental issues; making progress in promoting resource efficiency and recycling; advancing new projects for conservation of ecosystems; and taking new measures to deepen the systematic reform for the sake of an ecologically-sustainable civilization.

Mr. Gao Yunhu, Director-General of the Department of Energy Conservation and Resources Utilization at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, representing Mr. Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, pointed out that in the wake of the “go global” policy, investment and production capacity cooperation between the nation’s enterprises and Portuguese-speaking Countries had grown closer. The advantage of Macao in terms of talent and geographical location would become increasingly useful for such efforts. Through the annual MIECF platform, exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries would be strengthened in relation to advanced technologies and equipment for “green manufacturing”, promoting “green economic growth”, accelerating industrial low-carbon “green transformation”, implementing the strategy of creating a manufacturing and networking powerhouse, boosting high-quality economic development and making new and greater contributions to the construction of a beautiful China.

Ms. Song Xiaozhi, Deputy Director-General at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, representing Mr. Li Ganjie, Minister of Ecology and Environment, stated that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Government had placed ecological environmental protection in a prominent position, and had made major, unprecedented resolutions and efforts – resulting in effective outcomes – regarding construction of an ecologically-sustainable civilization and ecological environmental protection. In 2018, we must adhere to the concept of innovation, coordination, “green sharing”, and openness. First, we must continue to enhance ecological and environmental protection; second, promote industrial transformation and upgrade; third, promote the formation of a “green lifestyle”; and fourth, promote “green development” via the “Belt and Road” construction.

After the opening ceremony, the keynote speaker of 2018MIECF – a world authority on global climate change, current Vice-Chair of “Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy”, and former Executive Secretary of the “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (2010-2016), Ms. Christiana Figueres – shared her thoughts on global environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as the development trend of building eco-cities and a “green economy”. Also today, the “Green Business Opportunity Day” was held. The series of events included the “Green Business Forum” and an agreement signing ceremony. The “Green Business Forum” included two sessions, focusing on “Green Economy – The Sustainable Tourism” and “New Pattern in MICE Industry under Eco-Cities Model”.

At today’s 2018MIECF opening ceremony other invitees were: Mr. Wang Xindong, Secretary-General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR; Ms. Wang Dong, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao SAR; Mr. Chen Wenhao, Vice Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Mr. Xu Ruisheng, Vice Governor of Guangdong Provincial People’s Government; Mr. Huang Weijing, Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Mr. Yang Hongbo, Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government; Mr. Pu Bo, Vice Governor of Guizhou Provincial People’s Government; Mr. Yang Jiawu, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Yunnan Provincial Committee; Mr. K. S. Wong, Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong SAR; Mr. Lu Pengqi, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Mr. Leong Vai Tac, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR; Mr. Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR; Mr. Song Diwei, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Jiangxi Province; Mr. Deng Xiaogang, Director of the Department of Ecological Environment Protection of Hainan Province; Mr. Chen Ning, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Protection of Fujian Province; and Mr. Chen Tian, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. All were officiating guests at the opening ceremony.

Tomorrow (13 April), the MIECF has further rich and varied content. In addition to the “Green Showcase,” “Green Business Matching”, and seminars and presentations, there will be “Greater Bay Area Environmental Co-operation Networking Session” and the “Green Building Industry Networking Session”. During the Forum, several discussions will be held on ecological cities, “green finance”, “green chemical industry” and other issues. The keynote speaker Ms. Christiana Figueres will join a special session on the topic of “Shaping Tomorrow’s Eco-cities”. The Pan-Pearl River Delta Region Session will also be held tomorrow.

In addition, in order to encourage governmental departments to take the lead in supporting the environmental protection industry, and strengthen the environmental cooperation and exchanges between the government and the industry, a guided tour of MIECF and the “Government Procurement Matching Session” are going to be held tomorrow to help governmental departments to understand the development trend of environmental protection technologies, and also to better respond to departmental procurement needs. In line with Macao’s commitment to promoting the development of “smart cities”, the MIECF venue continues to provide free WI-FI services. Business guests can use those services to log on to the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) online business matching service platform (http://bm.ipim.gov.mo/) to look for environmental protection cooperation projects and learn more about matching intentions.

2018 MIECF kicked off today