GEORGE TOWN: Penang will host two major international eco-conferences that are in line with the state’s sustainability drive.
The Seventh Asia Pacific Urban Forum will be held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre here from Oct 14-17 with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
Mahathir will speak to close to 5,000 delegates, including ministers, mayors, civil societies and local government officials, on sustainable development.
It is organised by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in partnership with Urbanice Malaysia, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the federal government.
The event also marks the recognition of Penang’s efforts on sustainable living, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said.
An international zero waste cities conference in Seberang Jaya on Oct 14-15. It is organised by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia/Consumers Association of Penang with support from the Seberang Prai City Council.
GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organisations, and individuals in over 90 countries. Its vision is a toxic-free world without incineration.
Several international speakers would touch on their frontline fight against plastic pollution and the illicit trade of its wastes.
The conference will have 200 delegates from 26 countries, plans to showcase zero waste models in 25 cities across the Asia Pacific.
