PHILIPPINES / GREEN ENERGY

A three-day conference begins in Manila to discuss ways for Asian economies to transition to a resource-efficient and low-carbon pattern of industrial development. UNIDO

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:34
• Production Date: 9 September 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION- UNIDO
• Subject Topical: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; FINANCING; NATURAL RESOURCES; ENVIRONMENT
• Geographic Subject: ASIA
• MAMS Id: U090909c

Description

STORY: PHILIPPINES / GREEN ENERGY CONFERENCE
TRT: 1.34
SOURCE: UNIDO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 9 SEPTEMBER 2009, MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, exterior of Philippines International Convention Centre
2. Med shot, flags
3. Wide shot, plenary session for the opening ceremony
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO):
"Asia contributes about two thirds of manufacturing exports of developing countries, this emphasizes the importance of manufacturing as a driver of developing in Asia and in countries in general. The fundamental issue for Asia is how to sustain rapid economic growth with increasing population and rapidly increasing resource scarcity. Therefore Asia can not afford to ignore the issue of sustainability and green industry as a powerful instrument to support this transition."
5. Med shot, delegate
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose L. Atienza, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines:
"No single country in the world today, even the wealthiest ones, can resolve the problems of global financial crisis and climate change. They both need to be resolved together, they both need concerted global efforts, they both need the actions of everyone. Only then can we provide a better life for our people and our children of tomorrow."
7. Pan right, delegates

Storyline

An international conference focused on how Asian economies can transition to a resource-efficient and low-carbon pattern of industrial development opened today (9 September) in Manila, with Asian governments pledging to push for more energy efficient and less polluting industries in the region.

The three-day event, under the theme "Managing the Transition to Resource-Efficient and Low-Carbon Industries", brought together some 1,000 decision makers, business leaders and experts, including ministers and senior officials from 21 Asian nations.

The aim of the conference is to find ways to shift to efficient energy sources to combat climate change while sustaining the region's rapid economic growth.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO):
"Asia contributes about two thirds of manufacturing exports of developing countries, this emphasises the importance of manufacturing as a driver of developing in Asia and in countries in general. The fundamental issue for Asia is how to sustain rapid economic growth with increasing population and rapidly increasing resource scarcity. Therefore Asia can not afford to ignore the issue of sustainability and green industry as a powerful instrument to support this transition."

Participants noted that there have been significant gains in resource efficiency in Asia over the last years. But this is an unfinished agenda, with much more to be done - especially since resource use in the region continues to increase in absolute terms with continuing economic growth.

SOUNDBITE (English) Jose L. Atienza, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines:
"No single country in the world today, even the wealthiest ones, can resolve the problems of global financial crisis and climate change. They both need to be resolved together, they both need concerted global efforts, they both need the actions of everyone. Only then can we provide a better life for our people and our children of tomorrow."

The conference hosted by the Philippines Government in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), will endorse a Ministerial Declaration and Plan of Action that will outline the steps needed to reduce the resource intensity and greenhouse gas emissions of industries in Asia and track progress towards a low-carbon industrial future.

The President of the Republic of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will speak at the closing session of the conference on Friday.