The relentless pressures of worldwide urbanization, manufacturing and population growth demand a renewed commitment to clean energy and environmental solutions. To address these challenges and promote global co-operation and initiatives, 2008 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2008 MIECF), a government led conference event, supplemented by an accompanying exhibition will provide the platform for sharing latest information on environmental issues, which require immediate attention and urgent response. For this reason come April, Macao will play host to some of the world’s well known environmental experts, including visiting delegations from the 9 provinces and regions of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, namely, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hong Kong, representatives of governments, industries, financial institutions, NGOs and civil society.

With climate change at our doorstep, environmental issues are urgent affairs and have to be acted upon now, individually and collectively. In doing its part in the global drive for sustainable development and with a high sense of shared responsibility, Macao SAR takes a proactive lead in hosting the 2008 MIECF forum and exhibition, aptly given the slogan, “Thinking Green, Going Clean and Living Cool”. The event is specially supported by Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China and co-organized by Provincial and Regional Governments of Pan-Pearl River Delta Region.

The Forum is astutely hived into specific strands to enable targeted solutions oriented discussions and active participation. Among the forum strands are the “Agenda for international co-operation, Energy saving & emission reduction, Efficient use and treatment of water resources, Clean manufacturing, Intelligent / Eco city and Sustainable transportation”.

Each of the strands of the Forum will be held concurrently, focusing on environmental issues and solutions of high competency, with presentations from the scientific community and the industries. The Forum will spotlight how science and technology should be harnessed to convert urban waste into wealth, while affordable eco-friendly technologies can be utilized to sustain the growth momentum. It would also focus on how nations can make commitments to public policies that spur innovation that will determine whether we are able to surmount the challenges and seize the tremendous opportunities of the 21st century.

The forum includes a session devoted to “International Cooperation” which will include presentations from government officials representing the European Union, Provincial and Regional governments from the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, Hong Kong and Macao who will address sustainability issues, highlight environmental developments, environmental strategic plans and their existing market need. Such governmental focus will enhance the development for a framework for future sustainability goals and new partnerships between politics, business and society. Furthermore, the event also represents the realization of China’s far reaching vision on environmental development that embraces the Pearl River Delta Region.

Among the global team of speakers preparing to assemble at 2008 MIECF, the forum will open on the 23 April with keynote addresses presented by Mr Xu Qinghua, Representative of Mr Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Environmental Protection of China, Mr Hu Siyi, Vice Minister of Water Resources of China and Mr. Subinay Nadny, Country Director of UNDP China.

Presentations have already been confirmed by more than 42 high profile environmental expert speakers and key environmental players from industry. These include presentations from provincial and regional Governments of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region. Other international renowned speakers presenting papers include speakers from Belgium, Brazil, Finland, France, Korea, Germany, Japan, Philippines, Singapore and Spain there will also be a strong participation of NGOs who have offices in Mainland China.

The accompanying exhibition will showcase the latest advances in environmental technology, state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies, and will promote smart partnership between providers and end-users, with a view to supporting long-term conversion towards the green economy, thus ultimately effecting ecological equilibrium. The event will be a valuable opportunity for environmental protection industries from the Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces and regions to meet up with their counterparts from Macao and abroad. These companies through their participation aim at developing an integrated platform for clean technologies and renewable energy to serve the next generation of industries in Southern china on a sustainable basis.

The innovative 2008 MIECF, focusing on “Water, Energy and Sustainable Development” will be hosted by the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) to promote active participation towards the collective effort to address major global issues that are commonly shared by international communities. MIECF will be held from 23 to 25, April 2008 at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Venetian Macao.

2008 MIECF is also supported by some 30 government organizations, business associations and academic institutions from Macao, Mainland, Hong Kong and Portugal.