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14th meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held in Guangzhou (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection (JWGSDEP) held its 14th meeting in Guangzhou today (March 19). The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Mr Wong Kam-sing, and the Director-General of the Environmental Protection Department of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Qing. The meeting reviewed the progress of the environmental collaboration of the two sides in 2014, and agreed on a work plan for 2015.

     The JWGSDEP considered that good progress has been made on various co-operation fronts in 2014, including improving the air quality in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, promoting cleaner production, protecting the water environment, and managing forestry and marine resources (as detailed in Annex A). In the area of improving air quality, both sides signed the "Cooperation Agreement on Regional Air Pollution Control and Prevention among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao" in September 2014, with a view to fostering regional co-operation on air pollution control and prevention. Both sides also jointly enhanced the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network to provide real-time air quality information on the PRD region, and commenced the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Regional PM2.5 Study. In addition, the Environment Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province signed the "Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Agreement on Cleaner Production" in November 2014 to step up collaboration in cleaner production.

     The JWGSDEP also endorsed the work plan for 2015 with a focus on collaboration in taking forward air pollution control measures in the two places, preparing for the conduct of a mid-term review and studying the emission reduction targets for 2020, and taking forward the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Regional PM2.5 Study. The work plan also covers collaboration in protecting the water environment, and managing forestry and marine resources (as detailed in Annex B).

     The JWGSDEP, co-chaired by the Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government and the Director-General of the Environmental Protection Department of Guangdong Province, was set up in 2000. Officials of the HKSAR Government attending today's meeting included representatives of the Environment Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Development Bureau, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Officials of the Guangdong side included representatives of the Environmental Protection Department of Guangdong Province, the Development and Reform Commission of Guangdong Province, the Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province, the Water Resources Department of Guangdong Province, the Forestry Department of Guangdong Province, the Administration of Ocean and Fisheries of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, and the Human Settlements and Environment Commission of Shenzhen Municipality. The JWGSDEP discusses and exchanges views on matters relating to environmental quality, natural resources, ecological environment and sustainable development. Seven special panels have been set up under the JWGSDEP to take forward the implementation of various co-operation initiatives.

Ends/Thursday, March 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:05

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