Hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the 2026 Macao International Environmental Co‑operation Forum & Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as the “2026MIECF”), is being held from today (26 March) for three consecutive days at the Cotai Expo, The Venetian Macao. This year’s edition, themed “Low‑carbon, Zero Waste Cities: Embarking on a Global Collaboration”, brings together government representatives, renowned environmental experts and scholars, Fortune Global 500 enterprises, international environmental organisations and leading environmental technology enterprises from 30 countries and regions. Nearly 30 thematic activities have been arranged with the aim of promoting international green co‑operation and industry matching, and of enhancing Macao’s role and influence in regional and international environmental co‑operation.
Joining hands with international environmental efforts to create a blueprint for green development
The opening ceremony of the 2026MIECF featured officiating guests, including Tai Kin Ip, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government; Lyu Yuyin, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Zhao Yingmin, President of BRI International Green Development Coalition, representing Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China; Cheng Lei, Acting Commissioner of the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Wang Daoxi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the CPC and Executive Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Hunan Province; Zhang Shaokang, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Cao Zhiqiang, Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; and Tam Vai Man, Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macao SAR Government.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, stated that, as environmental and climate issues grow in global significance, green and low-carbon development has become a shared strategic priority for nations worldwide. The Macao SAR Government will strictly implement President Xi Jinping’s important directives on the development of an ecological civilisation, aligning its Third Five-Year Plan with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. Guided by the Long-term Decarbonisation Strategy of Macao and the Environmental Protection Plan for Macao (2026-2030), which is due to be finalised this year, Macao will prioritise carbon reduction and pollution control in its environmental planning, make concrete progress in green transformation, support the national vision of a Beautiful China, and implement the Action Plan for Building a Beautiful China Pilot Zone in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Through these efforts, Macao aims to play its part in the development of the regional ecological civilisation and contribute to China’s high-quality development goals.
As one of the most significant large-scale environmental protection events in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, MIECF serves as a powerhouse for regional environmental exchange, co-operation, and green industry development. By capitalising on a series of high‑level platforms, including themed conferences, green forums, project presentations and green matching sessions, MIECF aims to facilitate the implementation of more pragmatic partnerships and projects, therefore diversifying the industrial structure to fuel Macao’s appropriate economic diversification in the long term. Making better use of the city’s strengths as a “One Centre, One Platform and One Base”, MIECF will also help Macao build a higher-standard platform for opening up and expand its international network, keeping participants from around the world abreast of the latest environmental insights and green business opportunities, while advancing ecological civilisation and sustainable development through collective efforts.
The event has invited Zhao Yingmin, President of BRI International Green Development Coalition, representing Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, and Wang Peng, Director General of the Department of Energy Conservation and Resources Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, who were the first to deliver keynote speeches. This is followed by a keynote address titled “Dual Carbon Initiatives and Zero Waste City Development”, delivered by He Kebin, Professor of the School of Environment, and Dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality at Tsinghua University, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
This year’s event is dedicated to building a leading platform for green development, with four high‑quality “Green Forum” thematic sessions focusing on the development of ecological civilisation, waste management systems, green finance, and regional environmental co-operation. The Green Showcase covers an exhibition area of 12,000 square metres and, adopting an industry‑oriented approach, is divided into three themed exhibition zones: the “Zero‑waste Circular Economy Exhibition Zone”, the “Green Mobility Zone” and the “Green and Low‑carbon Project Zone”. Arrangements include four themed business matching sessions in the Green Synergy Hub, covering new energy enterprises going global, Macao–Hengqin public institutions, environmental protection technologies and green building. In addition, four Macao–Hengqin multi‑venue activities and tours in local communities will be arranged, adopting an integrated “Exhibitions and Conventions + Study Tours + Business Matching” model to further amplify the spillover effect of the event.
Actively enhancing public awareness of green technology concepts
In addition, the event continues to enhance experiences that bring green technologies and green concepts into everyday life. A wide array of highlight exhibits related to food, housing, transportation and daily necessities are on display, including carbon‑sequestration autoclaved aerated concrete technology used by the Chinese mainland’s first zero‑carbon flagship fast‑food chain, Macao’s first dry‑process pulp recycling system, eco‑friendly antibacterial meal boxes made from rice husks, as well as Macao’s first second‑hand trading platform. These efforts actively promote a zero-waste lifestyle among the public and encourage the joint participation of all sectors of society in advancing ecological civilisation.
The final day of the event (28 March) has been designated as the Green Public Day, with free admission for the public. Members of the public are welcome to make use of MIECF platform to learn about cutting‑edge environmental information and technologies and to put green living into practice. On the day, four free all‑electric shuttle bus routes will operate between Macao’s Central District, the Northern District, Taipa and the MIECF venue. Technical visits will also be organised, including a visit to the Cotai Ecological Zones and the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant, enabling participants to gain in‑depth understanding of local environmental facilities and management practices.
The Macao SAR Government will continue to advance green transition and international collaboration in a practical manner, leveraging platforms such as MIECF to facilitate more concrete co‑operation and project implementation, thereby injecting new momentum into the sustainable development of Macao and the wider region.”
