MORE than 300 political and business leaders as well as industry experts from around the world attended the Fourth World Economic and Environmental Conference held in Qingdao on June 19.

    Themed on “Low Carbon Mission in Economic Transition and Development,” this year’s conference focused on encouraging developing countries to protect their environment whilst sustaining economic growth.

    The conference was sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Energy Conservation Environmental Protection Association (IEEPA).

    Qingdao 2011 Declaration was passed at the conference calling for measures to protect the earth’s environment. Governments, NGOs and the public all need to contribute to the cause, the declaration says. Corporations should also take responsibility.

    The conference focused on topics like ecological urban construction, regional economy and green industry, solid waste disposal, sustainable financial systems, new and renewable energy, water resources and treatment, and new-energy vehicles.

    The World Economic and Environmental Conference, held on a yearly basis, is an international summit on sustainable development. More than 2,000 delegates from 40 countries attended the first three conferences. (Chen Ting, Shen Junlin)