Richer countries must take the lead in climate action, given their financial resources and substantial contribution to historical greenhouse gas emissions, Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta said in an interview in Beijing on Tuesday.
During the interview, Ramos-Horta emphasized that Western countries should provide unconditional support to help developing countries such as East Timor transition to renewable energy, rather than criticize their continued use of fossil fuels for survival.
"Because some in the West, whether environmentalist groups whom I commend and some in government, they seem to forget that it was the West that rapaciously used coal and all other non-renewable energy to reach where we have reached-the devastation of the planet. It was the West that benefited the most from industrial revolutions, benefited the most from coal extraction, forest logging and all of that. So they are the ones who should use their wealth to rebuild the planet without expecting or lecturing us in the third world," he said.
"Timor-Leste, we are a very small oil and gas producing country. Particularly gas, we are not going to stop the development of our potential gas resources because we need them for our survival. But at the same time, we are already looking at renewable energy, gradually. But the richer countries have to support without preconditions, without conditionalities, the transition of the developing countries towards renewable energy over several decades. For us, a fair just transition to renewable energy is precisely this. But so far, we have seen a lot of talk, a lot of pledges, but still very little money actually delivered to the Global South. And when the money is available, the formalities, the layers of bureaucracy is such, we are bogged down by all the bureaucracy and conditionalities imposed by the rich countries," he added.
Ramos-Horta paid a state visit to China from July 28 to 31 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is the president's first visit to China after he took office in 2022 and the first state visit by a Timor-Leste president to China since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2002.
Timor-Leste president calls on richer countries to spearhead climate action, aid green transition
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
