This year’s 2017 Green Summit was held by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) on November 15, 2017 to help Taiwanese green industries grasp more opportunities for international green trade.

It was conducted by the Bureau of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Green Trade Project Office (GTPO) at the Taipei International Convention Center. The theme of the Summit was "Circular Economy -Trend and Prospect of Global Green Industry Development” and invited speakers included representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, India and the Netherlands, to share their vast experience in Circular Economy in their respective countries.

Walter M.S. Yeh, President & CEO of TAITRA said “Circular Economy is an area where we want to forge ahead in the global environment. As global climate change has become a topic of prime importance and the international green market has been growing magnificently with increasing products consumption, the Taiwanese Government is making a heavy commitment of resources to promote Circular Economy which is included into the “5+2 Industrial Transformation Plan”.

Ms. Apoorva Arya and Mr. Arpit Bhutani, two representatives from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a pioneer and global think tank for Circular Economy attended and shared on the foundation’s work, some successful case studies of Circular Economy implemented by different companies in various countries, and new concepts and alternatives to transform our current plastics economy into “The New Plastic Economy”.

This special event on Circular Economy brought a lot of knowledge worth learning to Taiwanese people at the private and public sectors and to an open dialogue with European experts. Guy Wittich, Representative and Head of Mission of Netherlands Trade and Investment Office (NTIO), said: "Circular Economy does not just talk about green energy. We want to create a new economic system - a shared economy." Director General of German Institute Taipei, Martin Eberts said: "Taiwan, Germany and the advanced European Union countries are very good partners. In particular, Taiwan and Germany are still very dependent on nuclear power generation and are very suitable for the development of offshore wind power. Therefore, we have the responsibility and obligation to contribute to a Circular Economy.” Mandeep Singh Gill, Head of Economic and Prosperity Section in British Office, Taipei said “U.K. is the first country to legislate to reduce carbon emissions with the 2008 Climate Change Act. Emissions are 42% lower than in 1990.” Ms. Apoorva Arya and Mr. Arpit Bhutani, experts representing the Ellen MacArthur Foundation said “The New Plastic Economy is a complete cycle so that plastics will never become waste”.

The Green Summit brought more than 300+ people and representatives from various countries, Taiwan industrial associations, and Green industries. Circular Economy and green business opportunities are highly valued by people from all backgrounds, as we all live and share the same Earth. Through the sharing of experiences and success stories in this Green Summit, it is our hope that Taiwan will continue to make advances in Circular Economy together with countries at the forefront of sustainable development.