Programme
Welcoming messages
10:10
High Level Opening Session: Towards A Healthy Rebound for People, Nature and Economies
The economies of Asia and the Pacific region are starting to bounce back after the shocks caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the impact of climate change-induced natural disasters. The Opening Session of the Science Policy Business Forum-Asia Pacific examined pathways for a sustainable, equitable and inclusive rebound from COVID-19 that is good for the people, the planet and economies. Read more
Read the reports:
WGI IPCC Summary for Policymakers
Making Peace with Nature
PART ONE
MODERATED BY
Axel Threlfall
Editor-at-Large, Thomson Reuters
12:10
BREAK
12:30
SETTING THE SCENE
12:40
High Level OPENING SESSION: PART TWO
MODERATED BY
Axel Threlfall
Editor-at-Large, Thomson Reuters
14:35
BREAK
15:00
Towards Greater Transparency & Sustainable Investment: Turning the Tide on Ocean Plastic Pollution
MODERATED BY
Naka Kondo
Senior Editor, The Economist Intelligence Unit
Countries in Asia and the Pacific are at the centre of the marine plastic pollution crisis - with some countries in the region representing the biggest contributors and others disproportionately affected. Tens of billions of dollars are spent annually on the efforts to stem the flow of more than one million metric tons of plastic into rivers and oceans, but these efforts do little to tackle the pollution at source. On the current trajectory, plastic pollution could rise from 11 million MT to 29 million MT the next 20 years. Using diverse solutions and technologies, ocean plastic flows can be reduced by 80% in the same time frame.
This session examined the scale and scope of the required commitments by governments, industry and investors to better mitigate and manage current challenges. Read more.
Read the report:
Review of Knowledge and Data on Marine Litter in Asia
Panelists
16:30
BREAK
16:50
Mitigating Zoonotic Diseases – Healthy Planet Healthy People
MODERATED BY
Rohit Sahgal
Principal, Global Health Asia, The Economist Intelligence Unit
Asia and Pacific countries have been severely impacted by COVID-19 with a total of more than 51.5 million cases and approximately 800,000 deaths, as of September 2021. While some countries have brought down infections through strict control measures and/or rapid vaccinations, cases are still on the rise fueled by new highly contagious variants.
The session will explore pathways to prevent new zoonotic diseases and the impact of ecosystem degradation on human health in the region. Read more.
Read the report:
COVID-19 : a Warning. Addressing Environmental Threats and the Risk of Future Pandemics in Asia and the Pacific