Let’s Talk About Resource-efficient Cities – Final Program WRF Costa Rica Published

San Jose, 10 May 2016 Low carbon, sustainable and resource-efficient cities are key for achieving the goals of sustainable development. The program of the World Resources Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2016, starting next week in San Jose, Costa Rica, reflects the increasing importance of cities in shaping sustainable lifestyles for and with their citizens.

The meeting will be opened by Gilberto Monge, Mayor of the Canton of Mora, Leo Heileman, the new Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) and Xaver Edelmann (WRF President). They will speak about the importance of innovation in cities. A policy plenary on the imperative of sustainable resource management in Agenda 2013 will include high-level speakers such as Rosendo Pujol, Minister of Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica, Donna King, Ministry of Environment and Drainage of Barbados, Florencia Walger, Ministry of Production of Argentina, Louise Hutchins, Ministry of Environment, Ecuador, and Maria Amélia Enriquez, Bureau of Industry and Mining in the State of Pará (Brazil).

The Vice-Minister of Public Works and Transport of Costa Rica, Sebastián Urbina, and Hans-Peter Egler, CEO of Global Infrastructure Basel will speak about the need for sustainable infrastructure and announce a cooperation between the Swiss based GIB and stakeholders in Costa Rica.

The conference will also listen to keynote speeches from the World Green Building Council, the World Bank Group, UNEP”s International Resource Panel, UNESCO, Ministry of Energy of Costa Rica, the Japanese Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and others.

Over 20 workshops, scientific sessions and social events will take place as well. Back to back meetings, by invitation only, include a LAC chapter network meeting of the UNIDO/UNEP RECP network. Find here the final program. 

Late bird registration is open

High-quality infrastructure, sustainable and resource-efficient cities, modern energy supplies and adequate waste management facilities are widely seen as key factor in enabling consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. This can be achieved by increasing investments by business and public authorities in resource-efficiency and CO2 reduction, and helping decision makers in government, business, NGO’s and private households to get access to adequate information, tools and methodologies.

As a follow up of the World Resources Forum 2014, held in Peru, this conference will focus on the potential for change in the Latin American and Caribbean region, by showcasing best practices, identifying obstacles and discussing how to overcome them, and forging partnerships and agreements to start acting now. The WRF LAC conference is held in conjunction with the annual International Sustainable Building Congress.

The five key themes are:

1. Resource efficiency policies for sustainable cities and lifestyles
2. Sustainable business and financing
3. Bio economy – priority resources for cities
4. Sustainable and inclusive cities and buildings
5. Sustainable lifestyles and education

   Priority natural resources in the LAC region include water, marine and forestry resources as well as minerals and metals.

   For more information write to info@wrforum.org or visit the conference website.