SHANGHAI, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- With its sustainable urbanization theme "Better City, Better Life," the Shanghai 2010 World Expo has provided a promising glimpse of the green cities of the future. Top U.S. and Chinese policy makers, global business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and NGOs convened today in Shanghai to turn this vision into a reality.
Organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai) and the Asia Society Northern California, Green Cities: A Call to Action is a multidisciplinary platform bringing together experts from technology, research, architecture, business and government to catalyze business opportunities for companies across the urban development value chain.
"The U.S. and China have the opportunity to lead the world towards sustainable urban living," said Brenda Foster, president of AmCham Shanghai. "And the private sector, working closely with government in both countries, will play a vital role in defining the path forward."
Top CEOs and Policymakers from the U.S. and China
The conference has attracted international executives including Shane Tedjarati, CEO, Honeywell China and India, Kevin Wale, President & Managing Director, General Motors China, and Zhang Yue, CEO, Broad Air Conditioning. U.S. and China policymakers are represented by Fu Zhihuan, Chairman, China Energy Conservation Association, Christine Gregoire, Governor of the U.S. State of Washington, Mark Ginsberg from the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and Han Wenke, Director General, NDRC & Co-Chair, U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum.
A primary goal of the conference is to tap into innovative technologies and practices from both sides of the Pacific. Bruce Pickering, Executive Director of the Asia Society Northern California said, "Shanghai and the California Bay Area share a culture of innovation. This common perspective, among both government and business leaders, will be critical as we work together to develop sustainable cities in the U.S. and China. Green Cities: A Call to Action is an important opportunity to advance this issue."
Announcement of the Shanghai-Chicago Eco-City Partnership
The importance of collaboration between cities in the U.S. and China is highlighted by the Conference announcement of the Shanghai-Chicago Eco-City Partnership, which will take place on Friday, September 17.
Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago said, "The Eco-City MOU between Chicago and Shanghai underscores the strong relationship between our two cities and represents a next step in our collaboration on a broad range of environmental issues. Chicago has been a leader in the global environmental movement and we have undertaken hundreds of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for our residents." Continued Mayor Daley, "We look forward to continued friendship with the City of Shanghai and to the further exchange of ideas regarding sustainability initiatives."
Honeywell CEO and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire
Wrapping up day one of the two-day conference was Shane Tedjarati, CEO of Honeywell China and India, who provided the closing Keynote on Smart Eco-Cities. "Mindset shift is required in order to make a difference on Eco-Cities. China can take advantage of urbanization to become the leader of Eco-city development. We feel excited to move the partnership with governments into the next stage."
On Friday, the conference will kick-off with the Governors' Dialogue on Metropolitan Sustainability between Christine Gregoire, Governor of the U.S. State of Washington and Huang Feng Simon, Deputy Chairman of Shanghai Commission of Commerce. The session will be moderated by David Leonhardt, Economics Reporter at The New York Times, and Cui Yan, Anchor of the China Business Network, and will focus on innovative policies pursued by top political leaders in the U.S. and China.
"In Washington, we understand the importance of sustainability from an environmental perspective -- protecting our trees, our waterfronts and the air we breathe," said Governor Gregoire. "But we also know that from a business perspective, this sector is growing faster than others, creating green jobs and new technologies. This forum will help us share ideas and inspiration as we seek to sustain a healthy, vibrant environment."
Sister Conference in San Francisco, December 8, 2010 - Green Finance: A Call To Action
Green Cities: A Call to Action is the 4th annual sustainability conference hosted by AmCham Shanghai. However, it is the first year the Shanghai conference will be followed by a sister conference in San Francisco. Green Finance: A Call To Action, to be held in San Francisco on December 8, 2010, will gather leading financiers, businesses, and analysts from the U.S. and China to discuss how best to lead the global effort to scale green finance and fund vital green technologies. The conference will be hosted by Asia Society Northern California and AmCham Shanghai, in partnership with ChinaSF, the Bay Area Council, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum, and the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance.
About AmCham Shanghai:
The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, known as the "Voice of American Business" in China, is the largest and fastest growing American Chamber in the Asia Pacific region. Founded in 1915, AmCham Shanghai was the third American Chamber established outside the United States. As a nonprofit, non-partisan business organization, AmCham Shanghai is committed to the principals of free trade, open markets, private enterprise and the unrestricted flow of information.
Visit http://www.amcham-shanghai.org for more information about AmCham Shanghai.
About Asia Society：
Preparing Asians and Americans for a shared future, Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. We seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture.
