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Third Asia Pacific Cities Summit keynote speaker, Verhaar, joins Branson, Giuliani
Philips senior director and head of strategic sustainability for its Energy and Climate Change division, Harry Verhaar, will join world-renowned keynote speakers Richard Branson and Rudy Giuliani at the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) being hosted by Brisbane from July 6-8.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he was delighted to announce Mr Verhaar, a highly regarded international figure in the climate change effort, as the event's third international keynote speaker.
"As a thought leader in the area of sustainability and climate change throughout the world, I welcome Mr Verhaar as the third keynote speaker at the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit," Councillor Quirk said.
"Mr Verhaar will address the implications of city infrastructure choices on climate change and how pursuing environmental benefits also makes cities more liveable by revitalising public spaces, and creating notable health benefits."
Cr Quirk said Mr Verhaar's announcement now complements former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani and founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson as the third international keynote speaker at the 2011 APCS.
"We now have a keynote speaker who is a global identity with exceptional entrepreneurial expertise, one with vast experience in government and leadership, especially in leading during times of crisis, and now, a forward-looking business leader who can talk about urban sustainability and the benefits of economical, ecological and social development," Cr Quirk said.
"Mr Verhaar is renowned for being an active member of many climate change groups including The Climate Group, World Green Building Council and several UN organisations, and he was most recently part of the UN's COP16 Climate Change Conference in Cancun and previously Copenhagen in 2009," Cr Quirk said.
Mr Verhaar welcomed the opportunity to be part of the international forum.
"The 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit, to be held in Brisbane, is a wonderful opportunity for leaders and delegates from across the region to interact and learn from each other," Mr Verhaar said.
"As Philips senior director of Energy and Climate Change, I hope to give examples of regional and local authorities taking a leadership role in driving change from the ground up," he said.
Cr Quirk echoed this sentiment and said he was keen to use the summit as an opportunity to showcase that Brisbane is fast becoming a leading green city and to demonstrate Brisbane's place as Australia's new world city.
"Through the summit's business matching program, delegates will be able to forge international business partnerships with the world's fastest growing market - the Asia Pacific region and I encourage local business and civic leaders to join this forum," Cr Quirk said.
Cr Quirk added that Brisbane is definitely back to business following the January floods and the summit is another way to showcase this to the world.
"This July we will welcome business and government delegates from up to 100 cities, with 80 cities already committed, including 19 from East Asia, 10 from South East Asia, 35 from Australasia, seven from South Asia as well as cities from Europe, Africa, Middle East, North Asia and the Americas," he said.
"The summit will deliver considerable trade and investment opportunities to help boost the economy.
"In Incheon in 2009, deals for Brisbane companies brokered through the summit in South Korea were in the vicinity of $4million and continue to increase," Cr Quirk said.
"Already, through the 2011 APCS business matching program, a Brisbane-based company is in advanced negotiations with an Asian business for a contract that could generate around $50million in export opportunities annually," he said.
The biennial APCS is an integral part of Brisbane City Council's economic development agenda to generate international networks and drive business opportunities for Brisbane businesses throughout the Asia Pacific and beyond.
The APCS, an initiative of Brisbane City Council, supported by the Queensland Government as principal partner, with platinum sponsors ANZ and IBM, will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 6-8.
This year's summit is themed The Business of Cities, and will focus on three streams: the business of green cities, the business of growing cities, and the business of smart and connected cities.
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