Diplomats and activists join forces to clean up Rocky Bay Beach

On 23 September, over 100 volunteers and diplomats joined the beach cleaning organised by the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao and the Italian Chamber of Commerce [ICC].

Some 900 kilos of waste and polluting materials were removed from Rocky Bay Beach and adjacent shorelines.

Diplomatic officials who joined the event included the Consuls General of the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Romania, Finland and the United States, as well as representatives from the Consulates General of Belgium, Austria, Greece, Mexico and Australia. The Hong Kong environmental Protection Department was represented by the Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Department, Daisy LO.

The beach cleaning was organised as part of the European Union's [EU] global efforts to raise awareness about marine litter and the ICC's annual environmental activities.

Every year millions of tons of trash end up in the ocean. It is estimated that by 2050 there
could be more plastic than fish in our oceans. In the lead to the #OurOcean conference [Malta, 5-6 October], all EU delegations around the world are hosting similar beach cleaning events.

Head of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao, Ambassador Carmen CANO, said:

“Marine pollution is a global problem. Our oceans are dying and we all need to do our share
before it is too late. As a global actor, the European Union is committed to fight pollution.
The EU and Hong Kong can work together to raise awareness and promote environmentally
responsible behaviour.”

General Manager of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Anna ROMAGNOLI, said:

“The Italian Chamber of Commerce is part of the community and no matter where pollution
comes from, we must all do our share to keep our beaches and the environment clean, for our
children and ourselves. The ICC promotes a circular economy which puts emphasis on
preventing waste, recycling and reusing materials and products.”

Dr Robert LOCKYER, Operations Director of AquaMeridian Conservation & Education Foundation who attended the event said:

"Fighting marine litter and raising awareness about protecting the environment are
values that AquaMeridian shares with the European Union. We are glad to join forces to
promote change. Simple acts like recycling and picking up litter can have a strong impact if
we all work together."

One of the volunteers attending the event said:

“This is my first time participating in a beach clean-up. I did not realise how much waste
ends up on the beach and in the sea. We must all be more responsible in our behaviour."

European union Office to Hong Kong and Macao
The European Union Office is the diplomatic mission of the European Union in Hong Kong and Macao. The Office's task is to promote closer ties with Hong Kong and Macao by working with the government, business, education institutions and civil society.

Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong & Macao
A non-profit organization incorporated in March of 1997 with the aim of promoting business exchanges between Hong Kong, Macao and Italy while establishing a common platform for the Italian business community based in Hong Kong and its local members.

Useful links:
-Our Ocean Conference 2017
https://ourocean2017.org
-European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao
www.euinhongkongandmacao.com
www.facebook.com/EUOfficeHongKongMacao
-Italian Chamber of Commerce
http://www.icc.org.hk
-AquaMeridian
www.aqua-m.org
-Ocean Recovery Alliance
www.oceanrecov.org