The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, will lead a Hong Kong delegation to attend the World Sustainable Building Conference 2011 to be held in Helsinki, Finland, from October 18 to 21.
The Hong Kong delegation, co-ordinated by the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), will comprise some 60 professionals and practitioners from government departments, universities, real estate developers and the construction industry.
This conference is held every three years to provide a platform for governments and industry to have in-depth discussions and exchanges on the latest developments in green building technology and sustainable built environments. Mrs Lam also led a delegation to the last conference, which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in September 2008.
Mrs Lam will give a presentation at the conference's Urban Policy Session on Hong Kong's efforts to foster a sustainable built environment and officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong exhibition booth staged by the HKGBC.
While in Helsinki, she will visit the city's admired underground structures, including the underground walkway system in the city centre, an underground wastewater treatment plant and the Rock Church to learn more about the use of underground space.
Mrs Lam will also take the opportunity to visit Sweden and Denmark to learn more about the two countries' urban planning, heritage conservation and green building initiatives, particularly in the eco-cities of Hammarby and Malmo and related waterfront developments.
During her stay in these Scandinavian countries, she will call on the respective Chinese Ambassadors and meet with relevant government officials. She will also brief the Royal Sweden Hong Kong Business Council and the Finland-Hong Kong Trade Association on Hong Kong's latest developments.
The Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Hon Chi-keung, and the Principal Assistant Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Jimmy Chan, will accompany Mrs Lam throughout the visit. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong on October 22.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:41
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