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ASEIC’s first eco-innovation forum highlights best practices, encourages eco-innovation of SMEs 08 Dec 2011
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ASEIC Global Forum on Eco-Innovation: From Policy to Action Seoul, 18 November 2011 – The ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) successfully concluded its first global forum on eco-innovation on 18 November 2011 at the Bordeaux Hall, Novotel Ambassador Gangnam in Seoul. Around 80 attendees from the embassies in Korea, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), small and medium enterprises and global consulting firms took part in the “ASEIC Global Forum on Eco-Innovation: From Policy to Action.” Against the backdrop of promoting eco-innovation, the forum serves as a platform for participants to exchange their views about the prevailing eco-innovation policies and best practices in the international community. Eco-innovation, as an emerging concept, is fast becoming a significant area of interest especially for the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The European Commission defines the concept as innovative products, techniques or processes that contribute to the reduction of environmental impact and more efficient use of resources. The establishment of ASEIC was endorsed at the 8th ASEM Summit by ASEM member countries in Belgium in 2010. Since then, ASEIC has carried out several projects advancing eco-innovation to help achieve green growth. The forum invited several experts who shared their knowledge and experience in eco-innovation and green growth, namely Dr. Sangwon Suh of the University of California Santa Barbara and UNEP International Resource Panel; Vincent-Guillaume Poupeau from the Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Korea; Joosueb Lee from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI); and Geoffrey Williams of OWW Consulting. ASEIC also took part in the series of presentations by sharing its experience in undertaking its pilot project in eco-innovation in Asia. ASEIC Director Sean Kim noted that “the forum was a good source of practical ideas and insights for ASEIC in planning its projects for 2012.” He added that “the event was also an opportunity for ASEIC to build strong networks with green growth stakeholders.” The event was made possible by the Presidential Committee on Green Growth (PCGG), GGGI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), the Korea Energy Management Delegation and the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea. Building from the success of ASEIC’s first-ever forum on eco-innovation, ASEIC plans to organize more conferences in the future, focusing on global trends and attracting more experts from the international community. Director General Sang Hoon Lee of the Technology and Innovation Bureau of the Small and Business Administration said that, “they are currently interacting with international entities, such as the European Commission and Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) to find a way of cooperation that enhances eco-innovation of SMEs in Asia and Europe.” Notes to Editors
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