One of the five major tracks in pursuing green growth in Asia and the Pacific is to further promote the greening of markets and businesses. Therefore, UNESCAP is organizing the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue on Greening the Business: Environment as a Business Opportunity. The event is being organized in collaboration with the Government of Thailand and in partnership with research institutions, business communities and civil societies. It will be held from the 5-7th June 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Greening the markets and business is one of the five major tracks of the green growth approach. The remaining four tracks include green tax and budget reform, sustainable consumption, development of sustainable infrastructure and the development of new eco-efficiency indicators. Together the five tracks cover what UNESCAP deems necessary for the upgrading of economies to become more sustainable so that they can provide growth for both present and future generations.

Across the Asia-Pacific region there are numerous examples of corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are becoming the agents of change towards sustainability. Through enhancing the eco-efficiency of their production the SMEs have managed to turn protection of the environment into a real business opportunity. Less resource use, less energy intensive production, use of non-conventional and renewable energy sources, reuse, and reutilization of production waste products for new production processes have proven to be cost-effective and profitable business activities that have created new job opportunities as well. However, quite a number of these business initiatives, especially the more vulnerable small and medium sized companies are often not able to strengthen and consolidate their market position and take full advantage of real growth opportunities because they lack supportive governmental policies and measures.

-How can Governments support green business growth?

-How can the private sector promote greening of the business?

-How can consumers positively influence the greening of markets?

-Can green business enhance the competitive edge of export–driven economies of the countries in the region on the world trade market?

-How can appropriate micro-financing mechanisms be created that can promote less material-intensive products?

-How to stimulate socially leveling business development strategies that are addressing the needs of the underserved markets as well?

These are some of the key questions that the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue will seek answers to during the three days of plenary and working group discussions. The Policy Dialogue also aims to spur the creation of policy, economic and social conditions and opportunities for greening the markets and businesses in the region, thus addressing the mainstream business as well.

Who will be there?

The Policy Dialogue will be held in parallel with the Entech Pollutec/Renewable Energy Asia 2007, which is the most important environmental exhibition and trade fair in the region. While viewing the marketable and profitable examples of green business and latest environmental and renewable energy technology on display at the show, policy and decision makers from the countries in the region will be able listen to the voice of real life businesses. For the first time business, policy makers and consumer groups will be able to exchange views and ideas on which policies and measures need to be improved to further support greening of the market and business.
UNESCAP is expecting to receive high officials and senior representatives of different sectoral ministries of  the 53 member states, including ministries of energy, finance, development, trade, industry, commerce, foreign affairs, development agencies, as well as more than 200 representatives from private businesses,  over consumer groups, chambers of commerce, international organizations and business associations actively promoting green business growth. In view of the high interest among the member states in the recently held Green Growth policy dialogues, UNESCAP is expecting a high number of participants with about 60-80 nominees and more than 300 private businesses.

Where and when?

UNESCAP is arranging the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Thailand (BITEC). Apart from debating the future of green business, interested companies also have the opportunity to exhibit their green products for both consumers and policy makers to see. The major themes of the exhibition are Green productivity and cleaner production, Eco-innovation and eco-technology, and Eco-investment and Green Marketing.
The first day of the dialogue will focus on how private and public sectors of society can make eco-efficiency marketable, and how consumers can contribute to the promotion of eco-efficiency. The second day will concentrate on renewable energy and opportunities for sustainable businesses including biogas and solar power systems. On the final day of the dialogue, the participants will form revolving discussion groups in which they can share experience and opinions. The end of the final day will conclude with a set of policy recommendations that can help the greening of businesses in Asia-Pacific.

With whom?

In addition to the core partners and co-organizers of the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue, UNESCAP is also seeking partnership with UNEP, UNDP, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the Asian Development Bank.
UNESCAP is also engaging leading experts in the area of green business, as well as important private sector representatives, such as Hewlett Packard, BP, and Rio Tinto. Academia and research institutions are also supporting the organization of the meeting.

How to express your interest?

Mr. Rae Kwon Chung, Director of Environment and Sustainable Development Division of UNESCAP and his team are responsible for the organization of the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue. For further information and inquiries, please contact his colleagues

Ms. Aneta Nikolova,
Environmental Affairs Officer SDWS/ESDD
UNESCAP
5th Floor, UN Building, Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200 Thailand
Tel: +662-2881510
Fax: +662-2881059
E-mail address: nikolova@un.org

or

Ms. Thassanee Soontornsingha SDWS/ESDD UNESCAP
5th Floor, Room 504, A Block,
UN Building, Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66-2-288-1701  (02-288-1701);
Fax: 66-2-288-1025 (02-288-1025)
Email: soontornsingha.unescap@un.org

For more information on the Green Growth approach, the 3rd Green Growth Policy Dialogue and the Entech Pollutec/Renewable Energy Asia 2007, please visit:

www.greengrowth.org or www.greengrowth.net

http://www.thai-exhibition.com/entech/exhibitor/profile.asp