The Joint Meeting of Four Expert Groups of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group (EWG) and associated workshops are being held in Hong Kong from April 8 to 11 for the first time. The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, and the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, delivered a speech and introduced Hong Kong's latest developments in the field of energy respectively at the meeting today (April 9).
      
     This joint meeting brings together four expert groups of the APEC EWG for the first time, namely the Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis, the Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, the Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy Technologies and the Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy. They are being held in conjunction with the APEC Workshop on Promoting Energy Efficiency Enhancement in Electricity Generation and the 8th Oil and Gas Security Network Forum. Over 100 experts and delegates from 18 APEC member economies as well as three international organisations have gathered to share and exchange experiences on topics such as energy security, clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy data and analysis, and sustainable development.
      
     Mr Tse said in his welcome remarks that APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world's energy. As the member economies pursue rapid and ongoing economic growth and urbanisation, energy demand and carbon emissions in the region will continue to rise, making it crucial to accelerate the transition to green energy, mitigate climate change risks and ensure energy security and sustainable economic development.
      
     He also said that Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, and will cease using coal for electricity generation by 2035. Hong Kong is actively implementing various decarbonisation measures, including planning infrastructure to import more zero-carbon electricity from neighbouring regions, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, developing green transportation and promoting hydrogen energy development for achieving a green and sustainable future.
      
     Mr Poon shared Hong Kong's developments in the field of energy at the meeting. He thanked the APEC member economies for their continuous efforts in combating climate change, and stressed the importance of maintaining a rapport among the members for meeting the challenges from climate change.
      
     Hong Kong has been actively participating in, and hosting meetings of, the APEC EWG and its expert groups, giving full play to the contribution from the energy sector to the economic and social well-being of the APEC region, while mitigating the environmental impact of the energy supply and its use with other APEC member economies. 

Ends/Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:18

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