United Nations (UN) officials expressed concern about the potential repetition of Gaza's humanitarian disaster in Lebanon amid escalating hostilities, as many people have to flee their homes to escape the Israeli bombardments.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday via a video link, Matthew Hollingworth, Country Director in Lebanon of the World Food Programme (WFP), briefed media about the current situation of Lebanese affected by the escalated conflict between Israel and Lebanon.
Noting that the intensified conflict between Israel and Lebanon also threatens Lebanon's domestic food security, Hollingworth said that in the past few weeks, about 1,900 hectares of agricultural land in the southern Lebanon have been destroyed.
In the country's major grain-producing areas, about 12,000 hectares of farmland have been abandoned, seriously affecting about 46,000 farmers, according to him.
"We have upwards of 1.2 million people affected now by this crisis, hundreds of thousands of people displaced from the seven districts in the frontline areas of the south of this country bordering Israel and of course the southern suburbs of Beirut, emptied many of these towns, villages and suburbs now little more than rubble," he said.
"There's now 973 formal shelters inside Beirut and the north of country with more than 200,000 people living there registered; 773 of those shelters are absolutely choc-a-block full," he added.
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), said at the press conference he was shocked that Lebanon and the Gaza Strip had been attacked by the same Israeli military means, which have resulted in the displacement of a large number of civilians.
He called for preventing the tragedy in the Gaza Strip from being repeated in Lebanon.
"We're seeing civilians pay the ultimate price, whether it be the hospitals being closed, a million people displaced, civilians killed, schools impacted, the devastation is beyond belief for all people in Lebanon as it is in Gaza. We can't let this happen again," he said.
UN officials warn repetition of Gaza's humanitarian disaster in Lebanon
UN officials warn repetition of Gaza's humanitarian disaster in Lebanon
UN officials warn repetition of Gaza's humanitarian disaster in Lebanon
UN officials warn repetition of Gaza's humanitarian disaster in Lebanon
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
