19th Eco Expo Asia opens today
The 19th Eco Expo Asia is being held at AsiaWorld-Expo from today (October 30) to November 2. The theme of the Expo this year is "Fostering Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality". About 190 officials from around 40 official delegations from various cities and provinces in Mainland China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Belt and Road countries have been invited, bringing together international exhibitors, industry professionals to showcase cutting-edge green solutions, exchange views and share experiences.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, "Eco Expo Asia is a golden opportunity for us to discuss and advance our shared commitments to a sustainable future. Green innovation solutions are of paramount importance in our decarbonisation journey. During the Expo, we will see the latest innovations and technologies around the world in new energy, climate adaptation and other environmental areas.”
Mr Tse remarked that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The documentary series "Enchanting China" was produced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Environmental Protection Department, in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. "Beautiful Hong Kong" was produced by the EEB. The two documetaries showcase the contributions and achievements made by the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in environmental protection and nature conservation. An extract of "Enchanting China" and "Picturesque Bays of Hong Kong", the first episode of "Beautiful Hong Kong", was shown at the opening ceremony.
Mr Tse stressed that although Hong Kong's carbon emissions peaked in 2014, and compared to the peak carbon emissions today have been reduced by about a quarter already, achieving carbon neutrality in Hong Kong by 2050 is still a significant challenge. The HKSAR Government is boosting the promotion of green low-carbon transformation and the development of new energy, new productive forces and green scientific research industries through multiple measures, leading Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality.
The Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Sun Jinlong, was invited to give a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. The Expo's feature event, the Eco Asia Conference, is being held from today to November 1. In the Government Session, the Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Director of the Department of National Economy, Mr Yuan Da, and the Director-General of the Department of Energy Conservation and Resources Comprehensive Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wang Peng, introduced the latest environmental policies of the Mainland. In addition, the Vice Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Phouvong Luangxaysana; the General Manager of Saudi Arabia's Corporate Communications and Media of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mr Saleh Abdulmohsen S Bindakhil; the Permanent Secretary of Myanmar's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Mr Hla Maung Thein; the Director of Brunei's Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation of the Ministry of Development, Ms Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit; and the Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, Dr Le Ngoc Cau, shared their countries' latest environmental and conservation policies.
The Conference will once again feature the Hydrogen Economy Forum, allowing Hong Kong to capitalise on the environmental and economic opportunities brought by the global development of hydrogen energy, helping Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality, developing new quality productive forces, and maintaining international competitiveness.
The EEB continued to participate in the Expo this year by setting up four exhibition zones, namely: "Smart Technology", "Energy-saving and Green Buildings", "Community Waste Reduction", and "Green Transportation", highlighting the HKSAR Government's various measures and achievements in decarbonisation. The "Smart Technology" zone introduces high-tech applications in daily environmental protection work, including artificial intelligence (AI) environmental air disturbance detection mechanical dogs, 5G mesh network sampling robot teams, AI coastal cleaning monitoring systems, and AI construction noise recognition systems; the "Energy-saving and Green Buildings" zone covers the sustainable development of an online platform for electromechanical innovation and regional cooling systems; the "Community Waste Reduction" zone introduces smart recycling; and the "Green Transportation" zone highlights Hong Kong's latest development of hydrogen energy and displays the first hydrogen-powered street-washing vehicle in Hong Kong. To tie in with the "Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong" announced by the EEB this year, visitors can try riding on the hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers on the second day (October 31) and the fourth day (November 2) of the Expo.
The Expo is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the EEB. In addition, 10 government bureaux/departments, namely the Architectural Services Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Highways Department, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Housing Department, the Transport Department, and the Water Supplies Department are participating in the exhibition to introduce their initiatives in environmental protection and achieving carbon neutrality for Hong Kong.
Eco Expo Asia will open to the public for free on the last day of the event (November 2) to encourage citizens to participate in environmental protection and promote green living.
For details, please refer to the Eco Expo Asia's website (www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en).
19th Eco Expo Asia opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
19th Eco Expo Asia opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
19th Eco Expo Asia opens today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
