MACAO, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- 2011 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition to be held in Venetian Macao from 31 March - 2 April 2011, to promote Macao's role as the centre for environmental protection in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. Over 100 investment and cooperation projects, including wind power generation, sewage treatment, electric vehicles and LED lighting are expected to be on showcase. Other key highlights include the presence of international environmental thought leaders like Mr. Joschka Fischer and Mr. Klaus Toepfer, who have been invited to speak at the Conference, and themed pavilions focusing on clean energy, green buildings, electric vehicles, low carbon city at the Exhibition.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) will organize, from 31st March to 2nd April this year, another edition of the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF). MIECF's objective is to continue to promote Macao's role as an environmental protection platform between the Pan-Pearl River Delta and other countries of the world, and the dissemination of the environmental protection concept.
This year's activities aim to meet the current national and global sustainable development and the direction of climate changes while coinciding with Macao's urban planning and future development. The 2011MIECF features the theme "Green Opportunities - Low Carbon Urban Development", advocating "Green Cities, Smart Technology, Sustainable Growth". Through a series of activities, including professional exhibitions, high-level forums and other related events, such as "Green Business Co-Operation Day", business matching activities and "Green Public Day", MIECF aims to promote the cooperation between Macao and other countries and to share with the participants the latest environmental technologies and solutions, thereby creating business opportunities for enterprises, and spreading the "green" spirit.
Since 2008, there have been three previous editions of the MIECF, held with significant success. Last year, MIECF attracted over 5,900 representatives of organizations from 47 other regions and countries. The area of the venue was increased to 13,400 square metres to accommodate 362 participating entities. This is a clear indication that MIECF has become an important platform for the development of green industries in South China and the Pan-Pearl River Delta.
In designing the future urban planning of Macao, the SAR Government has the vision of "Building a Low Carbon Macao, Creating Green Living Together". In its Policy Address this year, the local government announced the creation of an environment protection and energy conservation fund, with a start-up capital of MOP 100 million, as well as tax benefits for environmental vehicles up to a maximum of MOP 60 thousand. These measures will further encourage the local industries to introduce advanced environmental technology, product and services from Mainland China, thus providing more business opportunities, and assist MIECF to push forward the development of the environmental industry in Macau.
This year's MIECF comprises of several areas, including the Zone of the Provinces and Municipalities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta, European Pavilion, USA Pavilion and the International Pavilion, as well as four thematic pavilions, showcasing, namely, green building, electric vehicles, low-carbon city (energy saving and green building technology) and clean energy. Exhibitors will consist of five major categories: renewable energy, green transportation, energy efficiency, environmental protection and integrated services.
The event covers several major projects in the green industry, including solar (photovoltaic and thermal), bio-energy, hybrid energy systems, electric cars and hybrid vehicles, charging stations, battery and storage solutions, building technology, facilities management, smart grid, waste disposal, water conservation, air pollution control, noise control, project finance and consulting. Internationally renowned companies, including BYD and Halo, will mark their presence at the MIECF.
A series of green business matching activities are available, to assist the participating exhibitors and enterprises to find suitable partners for their projects, products and services, through a dedicated on-line business matching platform and other related field activities. At present, the Organizers have gathered over 100 investment and cooperation projects, including wind power generation, sewage treatment, electric vehicles and LED lighting, out of which, 64 are from Mainland China, 23 from Macao, 11 from Hong Kong, 4 from Europe and 1 from Australia. Last year, the business matching activities achieved extraordinary results, with 416 sessions held, culminating with the signing of 24 projects, totalling 3.1 billion Patacas.
Internationally renowned environmental thought leaders have also been invited to speak at the conference, including Mr. Joschka Fischer, former Vice-Chanceller and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany and Mr. Klaus Toepfer, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Executive Director of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Both speakers are very prestigious figures and exert great influence in the environmental protection field, in the United Nations and Europe, especially Germany.
The number of conferences tracks at the 2011MIECF will be increased from five to six this year, with the following topics: "Exploring Green Business Market Opportunities", "Opportunities in Green Sectors", "Urban Planning and Eco City Development", "Low Carbon Urban Industries: Sustainable Tourism", "Buildings: Foundations of a Low Carbon Future" and "Energy Generation and Consumption". In addition to covering low-carbon city development, the conferences will also explore the urban planning and development of Macao into a low-carbon city. National and overseas researches and industry leaders will be invited to share their research results and practical experience with the participants.
According to the Organizers, the "Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020)", promulgated by the State Council has clearly put forward the idea of building a "Pan-Pearl River Quality Living Circle". In the proposal for the 12th 5-year plan by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China mentions the support to build Macao into a world-class tourism and leisure centre. The Macao SAR Government, in its Policy Address for Financial Year 2011 has clearly indicated that the development of Macao into a world tourism and leisure centre will be the key to sustainable development. Therefore, the Organizers hope that through the topics explored in the conferences, the concept of low-carbon developed in Mainland China and abroad could be introduced to Macao, so as to achieve sustainable tourism development and becoming a low-carbon city.
For further enquiries, please contact:
2011MIECF Secretariat
Tel: +853-8798-9675
Fax: +853-2872-7123
Email: miecf@ipim.gov.mo
MIECF's website: www.macaomiecf.com
