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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, yesterday (July 7, Paris time) concluded his duty visit to France, where he had meetings to discuss climate change and promote sustainable development.
During his stay in Paris, Mr Wong met a number of counterparts in the local government. On the first day of his visit (July 6, Paris time), he first called on the Head of Vivapolis and former Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Director of the Agency for Energy of the French Government, Mrs Michele Pappalardo. They exchanged views on sustainable development and energy-related issues.
Mr Wong then had meetings with the Assistant Special Representative of the French Government in charge of the negotiations of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP-21), Mr Philippe Lacoste, as well as with the Policy advisor to the French President for International Environmental and Climate Change Negotiations, Mrs Marie-Hélène Aubert, to see how Hong Kong could learn from the French experience in implementing measures to combat climate change.
Later the same day, he visited the Blue Solutions site of the Bolloré Group in Vaucresson, a company specialising in energy management and production of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles. Mr Wong took the opportunity to see for himself the company's applications in innovative clean energy transport and smart energy management solutions.
The same day, Mr Wong visited the Exposition Innov' Climat 2015 to see the exhibits there. Mr Wong also attended a lunch and dinner hosted respectively by the Deputy Mayor of Paris, Mr Patrick Klugman, and the President of the Committee for Sustainable Development of the Senate, Mr Harvé Maurey.
On the second day of his visit to France (July 7, Paris time), Mr Wong attended the RIVE 2015 - International Meeting on Green Cars, a bi-annual event in Alès, and delivered a speech to brief the audience on the action taken in Hong Kong to address green mobility and sustainability. He also toured the exhibition on green cars. In addition, Mr Wong took the opportunity to hold meetings with government officials to exchange views on sustainable mobility.
Mr Wong begins his visit to Milan, Italy today (July 8, Milan time).
Ends/Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:52
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