Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma, at the World Sustainable Built Environment (WSBE) Conference 2017 Hong Kong today (June 7):

K K (Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Mr Chan Ka-kui), Bay (Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), Mr Bay Wong), Conrad (Chairman of the WSBE Conference 2017 Hong Kong Organising Committee, Mr Conrad Wong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. Thank for your participation and support for the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017. I am very privileged to conclude at the closing of the Conference.

     The three-day programme of the Conference was compact and comprehensive. In total, around 100 parallel sessions have been conducted, 440 papers have been presented plus a two-day site tour in Hong Kong and Shenzhen starting from tomorrow. I am sure you have found the Conference very beneficial to your coming endeavours in the field of sustainable built environment.

     I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the CIC and HKGBC for their leadership and tireless work over the past three years in organising the Conference and the dedication of all co-organisers and sponsors making the event a resounding success.

International Collaboration Against Climate Change

     Climate change is the most imminent threat to the global village. International collaboration is crucial and indispensable to address it. Being the hosting city of the WSBE Conference this year, Hong Kong is proud to have gathered 57 countries and regions reinforcing each other to make valuable contributions to the global action against climate change. Now, through the presentations, debates and networking in the Conference, we have a deeper understanding among one another. I do hope that this Conference will foster more international collaborations in various forms in future to intensify our synergy in combating climate change.

Innovation and Technologies

     During the Conference, I was thrilled to hear so many innovative ideas for directing the green building movement toward a great leap forward. Indeed, digital applications and technologies are advancing in a rapid pace. It is alleged that advanced technologies may even take ordinary people to space adventures next year. Let's embrace the ample opportunities to maximise the use of innovation and technologies in driving the green building movement.

     Hong Kong has accorded high priority for innovation and technology in our policy agenda. We have also announced the significance of making our city smart in the future. This will be essential for achieving a sustainable built environment in terms of low carbon emissions and high energy efficiency. I believe the concept of smart city will be extended to more areas in Hong Kong and the world in near future.

Our Future Generations

     We owe a duty to the future generation in providing a sustainable environment. They should also be allowed a bigger say in what they would like to inherit from us. The unbeaten boxer Rex Tso, the cycling world champion Sarah Lee and the snooker world champion Ng On-yee are iconic examples of the world-class young achievers of Hong Kong origin. They have demonstrated the Hong Kong spirit by exercising unyielding effort to strive for their dreams. Indeed, we are not only proud of their achievements, but we have also conferred upon the young generation the very important mission of fostering a sustainable built environment, such as engaging them in the various activities in these few days.

     Very soon you will know which country has out-performed other strong candidates in obtaining the hosting rights for the WSBE 2020 Conference. While Hong Kong will continue to render support in the sustainable built environment movement, I hope that the incoming host will also continue to engage the young generation and motivate them to participate and play a leading role in various fronts for driving the movement. They will be the masters of society in future and we should rely on their efforts in exercising care to the environment where they will be living.

Conclusion

     Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure you should have heard the saying that "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do". We should be glad that knowledge and willingness have brought us here. Our continuous action to pursue a sustainable built environment will be crucial and instrumental in shaping the living environment for our current and future generations. May I thank again for your great participation and contributions to the Conference this year and wish the Conference greater success in the coming editions. Thank you.

Ends/Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:45

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