Eco-Forum Global's Annual Conference 2016 in Guiyang, China

IISD was pleased to develop further its strong relationship with China's Eco-Forum Global (EFG), at its annual conference in Guiyang, China, from July 8–10, 2016.

Embracing a New Era of Eco-Civilization: Green development, unify knowledge and actions was the theme of the three-day conference, at which green finance has been a permanent annual feature since 2014. Since 2013, IISD has been proud to contribute actively to the EFG's annual conference and act as a strategic advisor, and this year was no exception.

Our president, Scott Vaughan, attended the event, and made the keynote speeches at the Green Finance and Global Green Economy Forum as well as at the Green Bond and Sustainable Infrastructure Forum. During those speeches, he commended China as a global leader in green finance, and noted that it is now the largest issuer of green bonds, has the second largest futures market and is moving quickly in innovative green risk screening.

It was at the event that IISD and EFG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pledging to enhance the cooperation and partnership between the two organizations. EFG said it looks forward to IISD's engagement in future annual conferences, activities and programs, and IISD and EFG will work together to advance sustainable development and promote eco-civilization.

IISD also signed an MOU with the DeTao Group, agreeing to collaborate on a number of issues including data collection, training and capacity building, outreach and also exploring the possibility of establishing some experimental lakes in China. (IISD has operated IISD Experimental Lakes Area since 2014.)