Rapid lifestyle changes in AP region:

Sri Lanka to host Asia Pacific Roundtable conference

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Sri Lanka will host the ninth Asia Pacific Roundtable conference for sustainable consumption and production in June 2010 in Colombo. Regional Director Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (APRSCP) K. Rasaputhra told Daily News Business that the Asia Pacific region is currently experiencing rapid lifestyle changes due to increasing wealth causing a heavy burden on the region’s resources.

Therefore, this will be an ideal platform for local and regional and global experts to share their experience on topics of importance to the region with regard to global challenges.

The region has the fastest economy in the world and accommodates the majority of the world’s population. The economic melt down, pollution and poverty are the challenges that the region has to deal with.

As such sustainable consumption and production is seen as an important driving force to ensure that the special development needs of the region are met in a sustainable manner, he said.

Rasaputhra said that the theme for the conference will be ‘A strategy to meet global challenges in business and industry’. Sustainable production, consumption, sound chemical management, Life cycle management of products, service, energy, water and sanitation new marketing strategies for SCP and sustainable building and construction will be sub themes, and around 350 local and foreign participants are expected to attend the event.

He said that the conference will provide a great opportunity to further promote the concept of sustainable consumption and production in the region which is much needed for the survival of all species on the planet.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to interact and deliberate to find convincing solutions to the current global economic and environmental challenges that Governments and businesses face.

The round table will also provide an opportunity to show the country’s concern for the environment, sustainable consumption and production and to boost the country’s image.

It will also provide a prime opportunity for Sri Lankan stakeholders to positively participate and interact amongst the galaxy of international personalities, he said.

The APRSCP is the regional network of professionals, academics and industrialists to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production in the region.