Building Bridges for Green Growth
The Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai recently attended the 'Assessment and Outlook for a Global Green Development Forum,' hosted by former Belgian Ambassador to China, Mr. Patrick Nijs in Deqing, Zhejiang. The event brought together thought leaders and industry experts to discuss sustainable development and the evolving landscape of green business practices, with a focus on two key themes: "The Path to Achieving Sustainable Development" and "Focusing on Industrial Development. Is ESG an Appropriate Solution Path?" The in-depth exploration of these themes provided innovative ideas and practical suggestions for global green transformation.
Representing the Chamber were several distinguished members, including Farrah Zhou, Communication Manager at Umicore, who shared insights on Circular Economy Business Models. Paul van Brenkelen, Director at EQOLOGIC; Hans Kreemers, Sales Director APAC at BekaertDeslee; and Kevin Alderweireldt, CEO at BureauBéatrice, participated in a dynamic panel discussion exploring the question: "Is ESG the Right Path Forward?" Their contributions highlighted the critical role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in driving sustainable business growth and fostering long-term resilience.
Shasha Zhang, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Beijing's Board Member and Deputy Director & CEO of the EU-China Joint Innovation Center, joined the panel on the "Path Toward Sustainable Development." During the session, she presented their report on China's Green Development, underlining the importance of innovation and international collaboration in achieving sustainability goals.
The forum also featured notable speakers such as Ms. Gu Simin, Vice President of China Advertising United, and Mr. Pang Guanglian, Standing Committee Member of the CPC Committee for the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, and Chairman & Secretary-General of the Foreign Investment Committee. Adding to the global perspective, video addresses were delivered by Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Secretary-General's Special Coordinator; Jean-Pascal Van Ypersele, Former Vice-Chair of the IPCC; and H.E. Bruno Angelet, Belgian Ambassador to China.
Jonathan Xu, Deputy General Manager of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, also shared insights on how the Chamber can actively support its members in their ESG initiatives. He emphasized the Chamber's role as a platform for dialogue and collaboration through its Industry Practice Group on ESG, which aims to foster connections and best practice sharing among members.
The conference's key focus was to bring together stakeholders from diverse industries, including horticulture, textile, architecture, and education, to create meaningful dialogues and strengthen sustainable practices across sectors. It was a powerful reminder that collaboration and knowledge-sharing can transcend industry boundaries, contributing to a greener, more resilient global economy.