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Press
Releases - 2000
International
conference on waste management in Asian cities
The largest
international conference ever held in Hong Kong on waste management
was kicked off today (October 23) at the New Extension of
the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
Jointly
organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)
and the Hong Kong Waste Management Association, the ISWA International
Symposium and Exhibition on Waste Management in Asian Cities
has attracted more than 400 participants from some 30 countries
and international organisations.
Those
participating include representatives from the International
Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the United Nations Environmental
Programme, the European Commission and the World Bank.
The Chairperson
of the Organising Committee of the event and Principal Environmental
Protection Officer of the EPD, Mr Patrick Lei, said: "It is
a great honour for Hong Kong to host this important event
soon after China has joined the ISWA in July this year."
The theme
of the four-day conference, 'Waste Management: The Challenge
for Asian Cities - Search for a Sustainable Future', underlines
the major challenge being faced by modern cities in Asia.
"The
conference provides a unique forum for the exchange of views
on and experience and technology of developing a sustainable
approach to waste management.
"It focuses
on strategic waste management policy and planning; waste management
technological improvement; modern waste management infrastructure;
and waste minimisation, recycling and clean technology," Mr
Lei noted.
Officiating
at the opening ceremony were the ISWA President, Dr Christoph
Scharff; the Vice-Minister of the State Environmental Protection
Administration, Mr Wang Xinfang; and the President of the
Legislative Council, the Hon Mrs Rita Fan.
In parallel
with the conference, the Organising Committee also holds an
international waste management exhibition at the HKCEC New
Extension with 38 exhibitors taking part. It is open to the
public free of charge.
Apart
from the plenary, technical and poster sessions, the conference
will include a workshop on 'Communication and Social Issues'
to be held on October 24 at the conference venue to discuss
community participation in waste reduction. It will be chaired
by the Chairman of the Wan Chai District Council, Mrs Peggy
Lam.
Five
technical tours will be organised for the delegates on October
26 to visit the state-of-the-art waste management facilities
in Hong Kong and the contaminated land remediation work at
the former Kai Tak International Airport.
After
the conference ends on October 26, two training courses on
waste management will be held for the delegates at the Hong
Kong Polytechnic University on October 27.
End/Monday,
October 23, 2000
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