Participants gather forthe Seminar on APEC Technologies Empower Low-Carbon Action (TELCA): Roadmaps, Accessibility, and Partnership at LICC in Longhua on Sept. 2. Photos courtesy of LICC

The Seminar on APEC Technologies Empower Low Carbon Action (TELCA): Roadmaps, Accessibility, and Partnership opened in Longhua District on Sept. 2. Jointly hosted by the Shenzhen Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) and the Beijing International Exchange Association, the seminar is a key project under the framework of the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) framework and part of China’s 2026 APEC event series.

With APEC member economies accounting for roughly 60% of global carbon dioxide emissions, the Asia-Pacific region faces intense pressure to achieve a green, low-carbon transition while sustaining economic growth. Against this backdrop, the three-day event has brought together more than 40 delegates — including government officials, experts from international organizations, researchers, and corporate executives from 18 APEC member economies — to discuss low-carbon technology roadmaps, technology accessibility, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Zhang Gaofeng, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Longhua District Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Longhua District Committee (Longhua District People's Government), delivers opening remarksat the seminar. 

Zhang Gaofeng, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Longhua District Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Longhua District Committee (Longhua District People's Government), noted in his opening remarks that the green, low-carbon transition has become a dominant global trend requiring continuous technological innovation and international collaboration.

Zhang highlighted Longhua’s recent efforts to embrace green development, develop its renewable energy and new energy storage industries, and integrating low-carbon initiatives into both industrial production and daily life. By hosting this APEC event, Longhua aims to leverage technological innovation to advance the green transition, promote the sharing and application of low-carbon technologies across the region, and bring green energy innovations to a broader public.

Katya Puga Cornejo (R), director of energy and justice at Mexico Sostenible, tries out a LiberLive guitar at LICC on the sidelines of the seminar.

The opening day featured keynote speeches and parallel sessions covering cutting-edge topics, including cost-sharing in energy transitions, standards and inclusive governance, and investment mechanisms for green technologies. Attendees shared policy insights and practical experiences, reinforcing the importance of equitable technology sharing and a just transition.

Rashmi Banga, chief of the Development Research Branch, UNDESA, addresses participants during the seminar. 

During the keynote session, Rashmi Banga, chief of the Development Research Branch, UNDESA,, addressed the issue of critical mineral recycling. She pointed out that rapid growth in electric vehicles and energy storage systems has driven surging demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Because primary resources are unevenly distributed, Banga emphasized that "urban mining" offers developing nations a strategic chance to reshape the global resource landscape.She said technologicalinnovation and international cooperation would be neededto turn recycling potential into a driver ofgreen growth.

Chen Ying, senior researcher at the Institute for Eco-civilization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivers a keynote address during the seminar. 

Chen Ying, senior researcher at the Institute for Eco-civilization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, praised the seminar for accelerating the implementation of the "Ten Principles for APEC Technologies Empowering Low-Carbon Action," which were established at previous TELCA meetings. Chen emphasized that tech innovation must go beyond the pursuit of efficiency and ensure that all communities benefit from the transition. She underscored the accessibility and affordability of technology as key issues in regional cooperation.

Yoshinari Oyama, green technology and liaison officer at the World Intellectual Property Organization, presents his views at the seminar. 

Yoshinari Oyama, green technology and liaison officer at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), stressed that deploying green tech relies heavily on efficient information sharing. Oyama called for stronger partnerships to help valuable technologies move from laboratories to markets and expand from developed to developing economies.

Hazami Habib, chief executive officer of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and vice chair of APEC's PPSTI, shares her insights during her speech at the seminar. 

Hazami Habib, chief executive officer of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and vice chair of APEC's PPSTI, told reporters that the seminar's focus on the circular economy aligns directly with APEC's core mission.

"We hope to bring in all other fora and committees in APEC to work together towards a circular economy," Habib said, adding that she expects the seminar to produce an actionable roadmap for all 21 APEC member economies. She noted thateconomies with advanced capabilities, such as China, could share best practices in AI and green technology with economies such as Malaysia and Thailand.

Yulia Ermolaeva (L), a researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences, poses for a photo during a tour of LICC on Sept. 2.

Yulia Ermolaeva, a researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that the seminar provides an important platform for member economies to align their goals and broaden regional perspectives on climate solutions.

According to the organizers, the seminar will conclude with the release of the APEC Technologies Empowering Low-Carbon Action Project Report. On Sept. 4, delegates are scheduled to visit Meituan, Shenzhen Hello Tech Energy Co., Shenzhen Energy Group, and the Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve to explore real-world uses of technologyin smart logistics, clean power, and ecological conservation.