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THE International Conference on Green Industry in Asia (Igcia), which aims to promote the shift to resource-efficient and low-carbon economy, will kick off on Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.
The three-day event will be spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the UN Environmental Program and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific.
Anchored on the theme “Managing the Transition to Resource-efficient and Low-carbon Industries,” the conference serves as a platform for industry leaders, economics experts, ecologists and governments to exchange information and experiences on how Asian countries can achieve a smooth transition to resource-efficient and low-carbon economy.
The rapid growth in Asia has lifted millions of people out of poverty. But, at the same time, it has led to steep increases in the region’s consumption of energy, water and other raw materials. This contributed to the continued depletion of natural resources in various parts of Asia, environmental degradation and increased emission of greenhouse gases, thereby putting at risk the region’s social and economic gains.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said discussions during the three-day event will center on policies and strategies for resource-efficient and low-carbon industries, regulatory and institutional framework, as well as support services required by industry to shift to more sustainable patterns of production, and new opportunities created by the shift, and how countries in the region can best benefit from such opportunities.
Among the conference highlights is the adoption of the Manila Declaration on Green Industry and Plan of Action that will feature a mechanism for the regular review of progress toward resource-efficient and low-carbon industries in the region.
The signed Manila declaration will be presented by Atienza to President Arroyo when she graces the occasion on September 11 to deliver the keynote address.
Other activities include high-level interactive sessions, technical sessions, as well as four side-events dealing on Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, Environment and Poverty Times, Greening the Tourism Industry, the Next Generation Biofuels, and the Greening of the Industry under the Montreal Protocol.
Some 700 participants, including ministers and senior officials of 25 Asian countries, business leaders, top officials of the UN system, other international and regional organizations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat, prominent experts, civil-society representatives and media are expected to attend.
