EcoKnights was recently selected by the Japanese and Malaysian government to participate in the International Conference on Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Production and Sustainable Future which will be held in Manila, Phillippines from the 19th to 21st March 2009.

Implemented by the Development Academy of the Phillipines (DAP), this three-day conference aims to discuss the global challengesof eco-innovation, practices of eco-innovation, eco-business and eco-financing, green procurement and green purchasing, marketing strategies for eco-products, sustainable energy, and others.

Background

Eco-practices are an integral part of the Green Productivity (GP) strategy that enables organizations to develop eco-products or -services. Based on changes in consumer demand, companies are now paying greater attention to eco-products and eco-services as markets become more intensely competitive and sensitive to eco-friendly features. Thus, it is important for relevant stakeholders from member countries to acquaint themselves with the latest trends in trade developments and environmental issues to ensure that businesses in their own countries remain competitive in international markets. However, information on existing eco-practices, particularly successful ones, may not be readily available.

Continuing the GP initiatives, the proposed international conference is specifically designed for information sharing on eco-practices. It will feature world-class resource speakers who will share the most up-to-date information concerning various aspects of eco-practices, including promotion of eco-friendly features by industries and communities.

This international conference is being held in parallel with the APO's annual Eco-products International Fair (EPIF). The first EPIF was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004; the second one in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2005; the third one in Singapore in 2006; and the most recent one in Hanoi, Vietnam. The conference will form a special event of the 5th EPIF to enable global, regional, and local experts share their experiences, views, and proposals to promote sustainable development through the use of eco-products and -services.

The forthcoming fair is being organized by the APO, DAP, and Philippine Business for the Environment. The EPIF is one of the largest international environmental exhibitions in Asia, which showcases the most advanced environment-friendly technologies, products, and services, that enhance sustainable productivity and competitiveness. It is a platform to explore business collaborations as well as promote public awareness of environment-friendly products and services. Due to the current global financial crisis, policy-makers entrepreneurs, economists all over the world struggle to stabilize the global economy. This is the greatest economic challenge and it has started creating the severe negative impact to the economy in Asia. However, the current global challenges may provide the new angle of examining the environmental issues towards the revitalization and re-strengthening ofthe industry. Therefore, this conference will plan to focus on the topics such as eco-innovation and global challenges, global fmance and sustainable development and it is hoped that the participants in
the conference will be able to witness fusthand the results of eco-innovation and ecopractices which can strengthen the competitiveness of member countries despite the current global financial scenario.

For more information about this conference, please click here .