Conference to host international panel of green experts
Ying Chia
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
(Top) Dr David Gallo, director of Special Projects at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will deliver a keynote speech at NEC 2012 on June 20. (Above) Natural and man-made reservoir at Kg Sg Akar. This year’s conference, among others will focus on the future water resources, litter and education for sustainable development. Picture: Courtesy of Asia Inc, Saifulizam
“We’re expecting a conference that will set the tone for taking action. It is crucial to realise where we currently stand in sustainability and set the foundation for a sustainable nation,” said Fatin Arifin, Programmes and Research Executive at Asia Inc Forum.
Together with corporate partners Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Total, Butra HeidelbergCement and Alcoa, she added that through the conference they aspire to achieve “a platform for dialogue, debate and discussion where every opinion counts”.
Arifin also emphasised challenging the status quo saying “At the end of the day, we must ask ourselves how can we do things better?”
This year’s conference focuses on issues such as the future of water, litter, resource efficiency, education for sustainable development and consumption and wastage all of which are all important components of realising a sustainable Brunei, she added.
Various government efforts advocating sustainability in the nation, like the No Plastic Bag weekends, energy tariff adjustments and various environmental initiatives driven by non-government organisations, businesses and other stakeholders, are mostly achieved through public-private partnerships, she observed, adding that these were all “commendable” examples and should continue to be a part of our everyday activities.
Speakers for this year’s conference will see superstars of the environmental sector such as Dr David Gallo, director of Special Projects at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Annie Leonard, director of The Story of Stuff, present keynote speeches to an estimated 300 key stakeholders from the public, private and civil society, according to a press statement from Asia Inc Forum.
Gallo is quoted as saying that leadership and will are key elements to solving the problems facing water resources and the ocean. “Water is more precious than oil or gasoline, but we take it for granted. Everything we do, no matter where you live, has an impact on the sea. And conversely, wherever you live, the ocean has an impact on you. And yet this relationship hasn’t been explored in depth.”
Other notable speakers on the programme include Dr Pang Fung Yin from the National Environment Agency of Singapore; Glen Plumbridge from Hong Kong-based Sustainable Development Capital Limited; government officials from the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, the Ministry of Development and academics.
Also running in tandem with the event is the ‘Green Expo’, which started in 2009, and the Youth Eco Documentary Awards, that sees youth leaders awarded for their creativity and critical thinking in identifying environmental problems that impact Brunei all in a two-minute video.
All interested parties are encouraged to register and participate. According to Asia Inc, “We also welcome everyone who aspires to make a difference in the future of our nation whether you are a public servant, professional, entrepreneur, student or even a chef because everyone counts in the equation of sustainability.”
The Brunei Times
Source: http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2012/06/19/conference-host-international-panel-green-experts