As rapid economic development and population growth put increasing pressure on resources and the environment, the international community is eager to find a way out, and a recycling economy is a possible solution that is attracting attention. The International Conference on Recycling Economy and Sustainable Development to be held on November 24 and 25 in Shenzhen is one such platform that will promote an exchange of ideas on the subject.

 

 

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Monday, Long Yongtu, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia, and Liu Yingli, executive vice mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government?-- the two co-organizers of the conference?-- said that this will be the first high level international conference on this new subject in China.

 

Themed, "Recycling Economy and Sustainable Development", organizers expect over 400 delegates from government, business, the academia as well as the press and media to attend the conference.

 

According to Long, over the next 15 years, like many other developing countries, China will still be in the process of industrialization and urbanization, which means that energy consumption will remain high. These countries will have to simultaneously contend with the challenges of increasing populations, limited resources and environmental pressures.

 

A recycling economy, as a development model, will take centerstage as a means to cope with these pressures.

 

Long added that the conference provides a good platform for information exchange, for developing countries to learn from the experiences of developed nations, and promote the sustainable development methods.

 

"We hope through this conference, this brand new concept of a recycling economy will be widely recognized by the public and further activate the attitudes of the governments and enterprises towards the development of recycling economy on the one hand, and introduce the enterprises to this bio-circle of a recycling economy in order to contribute to the realization of rebuilding a bio- culture and of the overall economic and social progress on the other hand."

 

The conference will focus on two key issues: First is the role of the two "major players" in the development of a recycling economy, that is, government and enterprise. The emphasis for government is on legislative support and policy extension; while that of enterprise is to study the opportunities and challenges of recycling economy.

 

The second issue is the two main fields in which to further the development of a recycling economy, namely technology innovation and international cooperation. The thrust of technology innovation will be in new energy and energy saving; international cooperation will focus on learning from international practices and exploring indigenous models.

 

Conference sub-themes include "Recycling Economy: Legislative Support and Promotion", "Market, Business, Industrial Structure Readjustment and Recycling Economy", "Technology Innovation and Recycling Economy", "Global Trends of Recycling Economy and China's Efforts", "New Energy, Alternative Energy and Clean Energy", "Prospects of Green and Energy Saving Housing", etc.

 

The conference is part of a series of programs under a broad project to build a "Harmonious and Efficient Shenzhen".

 

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang, October 10, 2006)