The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, delivered a keynote speech entitled "Is sustainability still possible? The role of the building sector" at the plenary session of the World Sustainable Building 2014 Conference (WSB14) in Barcelona yesterday (October 29, Barcelona time).
Mr Chan outlined recent efforts by the Government and collaboration with the industry in promoting green buildings in Hong Kong. "What we need is a holistic set of solutions to be taken forward with concerted efforts from the community, the construction industry and the government as a whole," he said.
"As Asia's world city, Hong Kong is hosting two international green building events in the coming years, namely the WorldGBC Congress 2015 and the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference in 2017, to take forward the global vision of the WSB14," he added.
Mr Chan also officiated at the opening of the Hong Kong exhibition booth in the WSB14. The booth showcases the latest green building developments in Hong Kong.
The World Sustainable Building Conference is held every three years to provide a global platform where governments, international institutions and experts meet to have in-depth discussions and exchanges on the latest developments and challenges on sustainable buildings. The Hong Kong delegation attended previous conferences in Australia in 2008 and Finland in 2011.
During his visit in Barcelona, Mr Chan was received by the Barcelona City Council and met with the Deputy Mayor, Mr Antoni Vives. Collaborations between the cities under the Hong Kong-Barcelona Urban Exchange Platform were discussed. He was also briefed on the planning measures adopted for the urban transformation in Barcelona. Moreover, he met with the CEO of Barcelona Regional, Mr Willy Müller, and was briefed on the major development projects in Barcelona.
Mr Chan also took the opportunity to visit several urban transformation and infrastructure projects, including the Marina Port Forum, the 22@Barcelona district and the Barcelona Sea Water Desalination Plant.
He called on the Chinese Consul-General in Barcelona, Mr Qu Shengwu, and attended a networking reception jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Construction Industry Council and the Hong Kong Green Building Council.
He also paid a visit to a Hong Kong tourist guide who was seriously injured in a traffic accident in Barcelona in early October while on duty and is receiving treatment in a hospital there.
Mr Chan will depart Barcelona today (October 30, Barcelona time) for Paris to continue his duty visit.
Ends/Thursday, October 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:17
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