#Hong Kong #Sustainable Future #Friday Culture #Environmental Technologies

International Communication Forum: Pathways to a Sustainable Future

On December 13, 2024, the International Communication Forum was held in Hong Kong, a collaborative initiative by Friday Culture Ltd, HK Coalition, and DotDotNews. The event gathered prominent figures, including Cheuk Wing-hing, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, who opened the forum alongside other key speakers, including Wang Songmiao from the Central Government in Hong Kong and Herman Hu, Chairman of Friday Culture.

The discussions at the forum revolved around urgent global challenges stemming from unprecedented changes impacting our world today. John Lee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, emphasized the unique responsibility of this generation to explore avenues for sustainable development.

As the dialogues progressed, Herman Hu shed light on the role of Friday Culture in counterbalancing the often negative perceptions of Hong Kong, aiming to foster a more positive narrative about the region and its people.

Liu Meng, head of the China Office of the UN Global Compact, reiterated the organization’s commitment to Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling for coordinated efforts from the private sector to adopt sustainable practices in their business models.

In the first panel discussion titled "Green Businesses and Beyond," moderated by Henry Ho, various industry experts explored the pivotal role Hong Kong plays in financing global green projects. Johannes Hack, a representative from the European Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Hong Kong’s critical position in mobilizing capital for sustainable initiatives.

Further insights were given by Joseph Law, managing director of CLP Power HK, discussing their emissions credit program designed to support businesses in their decarbonization efforts. Additionally, Nick Chan from the AALCO HK Regional Arbitration Centre pointed out the increased reliance of Belt and Road Initiative countries on Chinese technology for their green transformations. Paul Pong, Founder of the Institute of ESG and Benchmark, championed the idea that integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices can enhance corporate profitability.

The second panel, "Innovation Drives Greener Future," moderated by Witman Hung, featured industry leaders discussing Hong Kong's ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Samuel Chui, the Director for Environmental Protection, laid out the strategic objectives, while Peng Gong, Vice President of HKU, suggested how innovative technologies could address climate challenges effectively. Michael Yang, Senior Vice President of City University of Hong Kong, provided insights into how these technologies boost productivity within the green economy.

Albert Oung, Founder of the World Green Organisation, concluded with a call for technological advancements to benefit both humanity and the ecology. Cheung Chi Kong rounded off the discussions by reinforcing the idea that the concept of sustainability is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and must be embraced universally.

The forum serves not only as a catalyst for encouraging dialogue about a sustainable future but also as a platform for innovative collaboration among various stakeholders, paving the way for actionable solutions in the face of pressing environmental challenges.

For more information, view the forum's highlights on their YouTube channel.