Hong Kong Environment Chief Tse Chin-wan Departs for COP31 Climate Summit in Turkey
Thestandard · 4 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan (謝展寰) departed Hong Kong on Sunday evening for Antalya, Turkey, to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). As part of the Chinese delegation, Tse will deliver a speech at a side event at the China Pavilion and engage in bilateral meetings with representatives from other countries and regions to discuss Hong Kong's strategies and progress in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. He is accompanied by Commissioner for Climate Change Sammy Yeung Sau-kuen (楊秀權) and other officials from the Environment and Ecology Bureau. Tse will depart Antalya on the night of November 12 and arrive in Hong Kong on the afternoon of November 13, with Under Secretary Diane Wong Shuk-han (黃淑嫻) serving as acting secretary during his absence.
Key Points
- Tse departed Hong Kong on Sunday evening, November 8, heading to Antalya, Turkey for COP31
- He will attend as part of the Chinese delegation and speak at the China Pavilion side event
- Tse will hold bilateral meetings with other delegates to discuss Hong Kong's carbon reduction strategies
- Climate Change Commissioner Sammy Yeung Sau-kuen and bureau officials will accompany him
- Tse returns to Hong Kong on November 13 afternoon; Diane Wong serves as acting secretary
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's participation in COP31 demonstrates its commitment to global climate action and provides an opportunity to showcase its decarbonisation efforts on the international stage. The bilateral meetings will allow Tse to exchange best practices with other jurisdictions and potentially attract partnerships for green initiatives. This engagement is particularly significant as cities worldwide intensify efforts to meet carbon neutrality targets.
Hong Kong's participation in COP31 demonstrates its commitment to global climate action and provides an opportunity to showcase its decarbonisation efforts on the international stage. The bilateral meetings will allow Tse to exchange best practices with other jurisdictions and potentially attract partnerships for green initiatives. This engagement is particularly significant as cities worldwide intensify efforts to meet carbon neutrality targets.