Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, speaks at the opening ceremony of 2016 MIECF.
The Government strived for a balance between environmental conservation and development by building Macao a green, low-carbon city, said today the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. Mr Chui delivered a keynote speech this morning at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) themed “Green Economy – Opportunities for Waste Management”. Environmental protection was a major policy of Macao, i n order to enhance waste management, the Government had been taking all types of measures, including to implement the “Macao Solid Waste Resource Management Plan” and promote “reduce waste at source; separation for recycling” policy, said the Chief Executive Such measures are in line with the vision of transforming Macao into a city with more favourable conditions for living, tourism, business, travel and recreation, said Mr Chui. One of the goals for Macao’s sustainable development was to achieve significant performance in environmental protection, he stated. The Government would step up efforts to support growth of local green industries, he added. Mr Chui said the Government was in the process of formulating Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan, with the aim to transform Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). He also said Macao’s development caused opportunities since the State Council recently released a guideline for promoting closer cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta area. There were also development opportunities arising from the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan and from the nation’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative). Following the demarcation of Macao’s maritime and land boundaries, approved by the State Council on December of 2015, Macao would be provided more space and development opportunities to enhance the city’s long-term sustainability, he said. Mr Chui said the Government was making great efforts to promote industrial integration, further economic development and closer regional cooperation amid the ongoing adjustment period of Macao’s gaming industry. The 2016 MIECF is held in Macao from 31 March to 2 April. It is an annual event since 2008 that gathers specialists and academics to share their experience in promoting green industry and protecting environment. The 9th edition of the Forum is hosted by the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region, with special support from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. It is also co-organised by the provincial/regional governments of the Pan-Pearl River Delta, namely Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hong Kong.