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Hong Kong will host the 34th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG) Meeting tomorrow and Friday (March 27 and 28) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) represents Hong Kong in the APEC ISTWG. The meeting will bring together some 60 government officials and experts in the science and technology field in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss ways to assist the development and application of industrial science and technology in the region.
The objective of the ISTWG is to fulfill the APEC vision for the 21st century, which is to be a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on the development and application of industrial science and technology that improves the quality of life while safeguarding the natural environment and achieving sustainable development.
"Discussions at the meeting will focus on four priority areas - human resources capacity building; international science and technology networking; connecting research and innovation; and technological co-operation and strategic planning," a spokesman for the ITC said today (March 26).
Over the years, the ISTWG has organised various projects and activities to promote collaboration in and transfer of science and technology. Hong Kong has participated in some of these projects, including the APEC Youth Science Festival, APEC Climate Centre, training courses, workshops and seminars on R&D management and technology development.
APEC now has 21 member economies comprising Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Republic of the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States and Vietnam.
Ends/Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:41
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