The 2025 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2025MIECF) opened yesterday morning at The Venetian Macao in Cotai, marking the first day of the three-day event that runs through tomorrow.
2025MIECF’s opening ceremony was attended by officials such as Acting Chief Executive André Cheong Weng Chon; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong; and Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR Sun Xiangyang.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man said in his opening speech that the local government was fully dedicated to “supporting the nation’s ‘dual carbon’ goals, continuing to strengthen the implementation of environmental protection policies based on its existing efforts”.
The “dual carbon’ goals refer to the country’s commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
“Following the Long-term Decarbonisation Strategy of Macau and the Macau Environmental Protection Plan as the blueprints for future sustainable development, the government will advance carbon reduction initiatives in an orderly manner, mainstream the adoption of renewable energy, and foster the development of green transport. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, it is committed to improving the quality of life and well-being of residents”, Tam noted.
Sun’s three suggestions
Sun Jinlong, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a keynote address during the ceremony, offering three suggestions for the city, the first of which is to strengthen the drive for green innovation and cultivate new drives for economic development.
Sun noted: “Macau has unique advantages in international finance, innovation and technology and other fields. It has a great potential for green innovation development…it is hoped that Macau will further implement an innovation-driven development strategy focused on low-carbon transportation, green buildings, waste resource utilisation and circular economy, focus on improving the ability to transform environmental protection, scientific and technological achievement, cultivate and expand green and low-carbon industry and help appropriate economic diversification”.
Secondly, Sun said, it is hoped that Macau will strengthen regional collaborative governance. He added that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will “continue to strengthen cooperation with Macau, promote implementation of the Environmental Protection Cooperation arrangement between the mainland and Macau Special Administrative Region, and strongly support Macau in promoting the construction of a beautiful city”.
Lastly, Sun noted it is hoped that cooperation in the environmental protection field will be strengthened and create a new window for external exchange.
“It is hoped that Macau will play a better role as a bridge in deepening the external exchange on environmental protection, actively promote investment and financing cooperation in green development, jointly build a green Belt and Road and make a positive contribution to advancing the global environment and climate governance process”, Sun said
Hosted by the local government and themed “Innovation & Green Development -Solutions to Build Beautiful Cities”, the exhibition spans over 12,000 square metres across five zones and features over 20 new products and projects on display, along with having attendees and exhibitors from different parts of the world. Forums, conferences and matching sessions are among the activities, while members of the public can visit tomorrow’s free admission “Green Public Day”.
Hosts and guests officiate at the opening ceremony of the three-day Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2025MIECF) at The Venetian Macao in Cotai. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
