USEE attends Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference (with photos)

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, spoke at the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference today (October 23).

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (right), attended the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao today (October 23) and met with the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, Dr Angela Wilkinson.

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (right), attended the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao today (October 23) and met with the Director of Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Liu Hongpeng.

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, attended the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao today (October 23) and was invited to speak at a thematic forum.

The Conference was organised by the National Energy Administration and the Shandong Provincial People's Government. The theme of the Conference this year is "Together for an Innovative and Win-Win Future", promoting high-quality green energy co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative. In delivering her speech at the "Embracing the Green Development Trend and Enhancing Innovation in Energy Policy and Mechanism" thematic forum, Miss Wong highlighted the energy policy measures of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to support the country's contribution to combating global climate change, as well as the decarbonisation strategies to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

Miss Wong said, "The HKSAR Government is actively developing renewable energy, exploring new energy sources for electricity generation and strengthening regional co-operation, with a view to increasing zero-carbon electricity supply, reducing carbon emissions at source and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in the long run. Our country's headway in building a sustainable future is also providing the HKSAR with bountiful development opportunities. With our country's development of top-notch green products and advanced technologies, the HKSAR Government could leverage our unique position and distinctive edge to play a pivotal role in stepping up efforts to promote new energy."

She added that the Chief Executive has promulgated the 2024 Policy Address, themed "Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together", with the announcement that the HKSAR Government will earmark around $750 million under the New Energy Transport Fund to subsidise the taxi trade and franchised bus companies to purchase electric vehicles, and will launch the Subsidy Scheme for Trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Vehicles. Furthermore, the HKSAR Government will earmark $300 million for a new scheme, providing subsidies to the private sector for installing fast-charging facilities. The target is to have a total of 3 000 fast chargers installed by 2030. Regarding hydrogen energy development, the HKSAR Government announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in June and will actively support the industry to establish a solar-to-hydrogen facility for demonstration. It also plans to introduce a bill next year to ensure the safe use of hydrogen fuel, and will also formulate the approach of hydrogen standard certification suitable to Hong Kong.

She said that co-operation between the Government and various parties is crucial for spearheading innovation, enacting policies, and cultivating an environment conducive to green transformation. The HKSAR Government will work together with nearby cities and regions under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to actualise a sustainable future.

Miss Wong will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (October 24).

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:12
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