Publisher: College of Environment and Climate, Science and Technology Research Department 

Date: November 28, 2024

On November 26, 2024, Jinan University hosted the 2024 Ecological Environment and Green Development Forum in Guangzhou, organized by the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy in collaboration with several key environmental organizations and research institutes. 

The forum brought together over 200 participants, including government officials, academics, and industry leaders, to discuss ecological protection, green development, and the future of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, opened the event, expressing the forum's importance in implementing key directives from the Communist Party’s 20th National Congress and subsequent plenary sessions.

(At the forum)

Cai highlighted the forum's goal: to gather wisdom and enhance consensus on ecological and environmental issues, drawing attention to the achievements of the Greater Bay Area in promoting green development. He encouraged all participants to share their expertise and experiences to further the nation’s ecological civilization and regional development.

The keynote presentations featured prominent scholars in the field, including Jin Hongguang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shi Dan from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Other notable speakers included Song Xianzhong, Dean of Jinan University’s Institute of Low Carbon and Sustainable Development, and experts from universities and institutions across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The discussions focused on critical themes such as High-level protection under high-quality development and Green productivity boosts high-quality development. Panelists explored topics surrounding low-carbon development, green energy solutions, and effective environmental governance in the context of the Greater Bay Area.

This forum builds on a series of high-end ecological environment forums that have taken place annually since 2018, fostering collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The Central Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party aims to integrate these forums into a broader Ecological Protection and Green Development Forum, which will also incorporate elements from successful initiatives like the Yangtze River Protection and Development Forum and the Yellow River Protection and Development Forum.

The 2024 forum represents an essential step in advancing cooperative efforts aimed at fostering sustainable development in the region, enhancing environmental quality, and promoting innovative ecological solutions.