Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan is set to depart for Antalya, Turkey, this Sunday to represent Hong Kong at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This high-level attendance underscores the city’s ongoing commitment to the global effort to combat climate change and align with national decarbonization goals.
Tse will be accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, including the Commissioner for Climate Change, Sammy Yeung Sau-kuen, and various representatives from the Environment and Ecology Bureau. During the conference, the Hong Kong delegation will integrate with the broader Chinese national team, reinforcing the city’s role in supporting China’s overarching climate strategy.
A key component of the Secretary’s itinerary is a scheduled address at a side event held within the China Pavilion. In this forum, Tse is expected to outline Hong Kong’s multi-faceted approach to achieving its climate targets, including the city’s ambitious roadmap to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The discussion will focus on the progress made in energy transition, the expansion of renewable energy sources, and the development of sustainable infrastructure in one of the world’s most densely populated urban environments.
Beyond his formal speech, Tse will engage in a series of bilateral meetings with international counterparts and regional representatives. These discussions are intended to foster collaboration on green technology, sustainable development policies, and strategies for climate resilience. By sharing Hong Kong’s specific experiences—such as its progress in green finance and its regulatory frameworks for energy efficiency—the Secretary aims to position the city as a proactive partner in the global transition toward a net-zero economy.
The delegation’s presence at COP31 comes at a critical juncture for global climate policy, as nations work to implement the commitments established under the Paris Agreement. For Hong Kong, the conference provides a platform to demonstrate its accountability and to learn from the best practices of other jurisdictions facing similar challenges in climate mitigation and adaptation.
The official mission is scheduled to conclude on the night of November 12, local Antalya time. Following the conclusion of his engagements, Tse and his delegation will return to Hong Kong, arriving on the afternoon of November 13.
During the Secretary’s absence, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Diane Wong Shuk-han, will assume the responsibilities of the office as Acting Secretary. This ensures the continuity of the Bureau’s daily operations and the ongoing implementation of local environmental policies while the senior leadership is engaged in international climate diplomacy.
As international pressure mounts to accelerate climate action, Hong Kong’s participation in COP31 serves as a vital signal of the city’s dedication to its environmental pledges. The insights gained from the conference, combined with the professional exchanges facilitated during the trip, are expected to inform the next phase of the government’s climate strategy, particularly regarding the scaling up of low-carbon initiatives and the strengthening of cross-border cooperation in environmental governance.
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