On 15 and 16 November, the main forum of the 15th FCPAE Europe Forum of the Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe (FCPAE) was held in Paris. Under the theme "Deepening Cooperation, Shaping the Future Together", the forum brought together prominent scientists and entrepreneurs from China and Europe to discuss key fields including green and sustainable development, smart manufacturing, life sciences and interdisciplinary talent development. WeCarbon founders Ms. Remoca Shi and Mr. Eric Ma were invited to join the discussions and give keynote speeches.
The forum opened with a video address by Luo Hui, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Guests including Chen Li, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in France; Ding Li, President of the Association of Chinese Scientists and Engineers in France, which holds the FCPAE's rotating presidency for 2024; and Gilles-Henry Garault, Vice-President of the Société d'encouragement pour l'industrie nationale (SEIN) and Chair of its International Committee, attended the opening ceremony and gave remarks.
In the "Outlook on Cross-Border Corporate Sustainability" segment, WeCarbon Founder Mr. Eric Ma gave a keynote speech titled "From Certification and Compliance to Cross-Border Growth: Global Sustainability Pathways for Companies in a New Landscape", outlining the global state of green certification and cross-border green compliance and recommending how companies can respond; analyzing the current state of and trends in supply chain ESG requirements; sharing advanced practice in green finance and trade finance; presenting WeCarbon's main agenda in international exchange, international cooperation and social impact; and setting out the value and support WeCarbon can offer companies expanding into larger overseas markets.
At the roundtable "Green Compliance Risks and Response Strategies for Chinese Companies Going Global" in the same segment, Ms. Remoca Shi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Climate Week Executive Committee Secretariat and Secretary-General of its Youth Council, Secretary-General of the Sustainable Development Committee of the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurs Association (APEA) and Founder of WeCarbon, served as moderator. She was joined by Mr. Xie Jihua, Chairman of INNOMATCH; Mr. Cao Yong, Deputy Dean of the Engineering Research Institute of Gotion High-Tech; Ms. Wang Linjie, Co-founder and President of the China Environmental Protection Culture Promotion Association; Dr. Hu Xinyu, Partner and Head of the China Desk at CMS France; and other guests to discuss the green compliance risks Chinese companies face when going global and how to respond, and how companies can build new quality productive forces and achieve sustainable development.
At the roundtable "Differences and Cooperation between China and Europe in CCUS and CDR Technologies and Markets" in the "Outlook on China-Europe Cooperation in Decarbonization Technologies" segment, WeCarbon Founder Mr. Eric Ma served as moderator, in discussion with Mr. Nicolas Zimmermann, Founding Partner of Carbonway; Dr. Nicolas Marmier of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA); Mr. Zou Shujun, Executive President of INNOMATCH; and other guests.
Since 2009, the FCPAE Europe Forum has been held in cities across Europe. Each edition addresses topical global issues in important fields such as innovative technology, smart manufacturing, environmental protection and sustainable development. The forum has become an important bridge and platform for cooperation between China and Europe in science, technology, innovation and business, creating high-level, wide-ranging opportunities for academic, business and cultural exchange between China and Europe.
As an early advocate of ESG, WeCarbon has been committed since its founding to promoting business for good and sustainability across society, and its work has been well received in markets in China and abroad. Looking ahead, WeCarbon looks forward to continuing on the path of sustainability with all participants, helping Chinese companies strengthen their governance and international capability, and enabling companies to build differentiated strengths through ESG and sustainability principles and enhance their global competitiveness and influence.