The Council for Sustainable Development will start a public engagement process in June to formulate a sustainable development strategy for Hong Kong which will initially focus on renewable energy, sustainable urban planning and solid-waste management.

Strategy Sub-committee Chairperson Dr Edgar Cheng said after a meeting of the council today that the engagement process will be different from conventional forms of public consultation.

"It will be an interactive and ongoing process promoting partnership and dynamic exchanges," he said.

3 support groups formed

Three support groups have been formed to come up with a programme by the end of May and to start the public engagement process in June.

At today's meeting, the council also considered a Government report on the recent United Nations Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum.

The council chairman, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said he was glad the success of the forum has prompted a suggestion to make the event an annual function for the Asia-Pacific Region.

"Hong Kong looks forward to collaborating with neighbouring places in promoting a sustainable future," Mr Tsang said.

Sustainable Development Fund applications endorsed

During the meeting today, members also discussed and endorsed applications for grants from the Sustainable Development Fund.

The applications came from a range of non-government organisations, academic institutions and business and community groups, and are aimed at promoting the principles of sustainability to the public, in particular the need to balance long-term social, economic and environmental concerns.

The applicants will be individually notified before a public announcement is made. The sub-committee will shortly call for a second round of applications.