H.E. Ambassador of Belarus Nichkasov Anatoly

H. E. Ambassador of Georgia Zurab Pataradze

H. E. Ambassador of Czech Republic Ladislav Steinhubel 

H. E. Ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria Reni Matteva-Stavreva 

H. E. Ambassador of Ghana Kodzo Alabo

Chargé d’Affairs of Embassy of Mongolia Lkhagva Baatarchuluun

As everywhere Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are occupying ever larger areas of people’s lives and cities, policy makers and majors stakeholders are keen on making sure that this evolution be for the benefit of all citizens and their well-being, with respect to all environmental requirements. This session will showcase experiences, views and propositions that promote the concept of smart cities with the purpose to enhance quality of life at all levels and meet all the challenges of the sustainable development goals as defined by the UN (SDG).

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are now a global reference. On all continents, new policies are being promoted and implemented fostering hope for a better future for everyone on this planet. Yet there is a long way to go from hope to reality. This session will showcase some of the best advances in the area of SDG in Asia and elsewhere, taking into account local realities while putting them into a global perspective.

Of all SDGs, reducing fossil energy is certainly the single most important goal and top priority in terms of reducing CO2 emissions and controlling climate change. However, it is far from easy for those countries whose economy and GDP rely heavily on fossil resources to do a successful and painless transition to alternative energy. This session will tackle the issue of how to best go from fossil to green energy without sacrificing other priorities and jeopardizing other vital development plans.