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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (November 23, Lima time) pledged that Hong Kong would not step back from the efforts to protect the environment despite the financial turmoil.
Attending the last day of the APEC Economic Leaders¡¦ Meeting in Lima, Mr Tsang urged Member Economies to join Hong Kong in not reducing public expenditure on environmental initiatives.
The Chief Executive said that Climate change recognised no geographical boundary. Closer co-operation in tackling climate change was therefore a vitally important undertaking for all APEC economies. In this regard, Hong Kong had been working closely with other economies, especially its neighbour Guangdong.
Mr Tsang noted that Hong Kong was charting a course to transform the highly developed Pearl River Delta Region into a green and quality living area, through setting joint targets on reducing emissions, co-operation in development of renewable energy, and so on.
On improving air quality, Mr Tsang told Member Economies that Hong Kong would adopt in stages the air quality targets recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Apart from climate change, items discussed at the meeting included regional economic integration, corporate social responsibility and human security issues.
After the meeting, Mr Tsang joined other Economic Leaders to take the Official Photograph in the traditional costumes of Peru. He also witnessed the announcement of the Leaders¡¦ Declaration.
Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong on November 25.
Ends/Monday, November 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 04:49
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