Brussels, October 21st, 2024
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the China-Europe-Africa Forum on Bamboo Technological Innovation and Green Industry Cooperation convened international experts and stakeholders to explore the growing role of bamboo in tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change, plastic pollution, and sustainable development.
Co-hosted by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR), and organized by the Europe-Asia Center, the International Center for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR), and the China Cultural Center in Brussels, the event focused on bamboo’s potential as an innovative, eco-friendly alternative to plastic, highlighting the need for global cooperation in advancing green industries, with a particular focus on bamboo.
A Global Perspective on Sustainability
In his first public appearance as the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to the EU, H.E. CAI Run underscored the importance of an ecological civilization for national development, noting that:
“We protect the environment as we protect our eyes, believe that clear waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains, and follow a green, low-carbon development path.”
He further highlighted the need for greater cooperation between China, Europe, and Africa, pointing out that:
“China is ready to join hands with the broader global community, including Europe and Africa, to promote green development, seek harmony between man and nature, and build a clean and beautiful world.”
Prof. JIANG Zehui, Co-Chair of INBAR’s Board of Trustees, emphasized bamboo’s role in achieving the global sustainable development goals:
“Bamboo is a renewable resource that plays an essential role in the global green economy. Its application will not only alleviate the environmental crisis but also promote biodiversity and rural revitalization.”
H.E. Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, pointed to China’s pivotal role in leading the global green revolution:
“China accounts for 60% of the world’s green technologies, from solar and wind energy to electric batteries. The global transition to a green economy is impossible without China, but equally, Europe and Africa must also engage actively in this endeavor.”
He also emphasized bamboo’s importance as a substitute for plastic, remarking that:
“Bamboo is incredibly versatile—it can replace plastic in more than 1,000 products. It is vital to make this shift, given the severe environmental damage caused by plastic pollution.”
H.E. Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the EU, emphasized the importance of a China-EU-Africa strategic bamboo triangle, noting that:
“China leadership in bamboo research, coupled with European expertise in sustainable practices, offers valuable knowledge sharing opportunities,” further adding that:
“Together we are developing innovative applications, such as bioplastics, which can drive green industries, create jobs, and support climate resilience.”
Mr. Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the EU, added that bamboo could transform agricultural systems while reducing reliance on harmful plastics, explaining that:
“Bamboo has great potential as a bio composite material, contributing to sustainable development and improving rural livelihoods in Africa and Asia.”
Mr. LU Wenming, Deputy Director General of INBAR, and Ms. SONG Hongzhu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science and Technology and the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration, outlined China’s and INBAR’s efforts at promoting bamboo and emphasized the importance of a holistic approach and international cooperation.
H.E. Dr. hc. Violeta Bulc, Vice-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former EU Commissioner for Transport and Mobility, emphasized the importance of collective action:
“We are all aboard this planetary ship called Earth, and it is our shared responsibility to innovate, co-create, and collaborate toward a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Mr. McArios Akanbeanab Akabong, Deputy Head of Mission of Ghana to Belgium, highlighted Ghana’s national commitment to bamboo cultivation and detailed how bamboo has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s efforts to create jobs and restore degraded landscapes, saying:
“Bamboo is not just an environmental solution but a socioeconomic one. It provides job opportunities and promotes environmental restoration. Through programs like the Green Ghana Agenda, we have demonstrated that bamboo can be a driver of change in Africa.”
Prof. Michael Braungart, Professor for Eco-Design at Leuphana University of Lüneburg and Winner of the German Government Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development, underscored bamboo’s potential to improve air quality, particularly in indoor environments, where pollution levels can be dangerously high, remarking:
“Bamboo can be a life-saving material by reducing respiratory risks. In many parts of the world, people spend 90% of their time indoors, and bamboo’s ability to purify air makes it an invaluable tool in fighting indoor pollution.”
Panel Discussion: Innovations, Challenges, and Health Benefits
The event’s panel discussion, moderated by Prof. SHEN Wei, Vice-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center, delved into innovations, challenges, and health benefits associated with bamboo.
Mr. Pablo van der Lugt, Head of Sustainability at Moso International BV, emphasized bamboo’s role in green construction:
“Bamboo is not only a sustainable alternative to materials like steel and concrete but also sequesters carbon, positioning it as a key player in eco-friendly construction.”
Ms. Matea Benedetti, CEO of Benedetti Life, added:
“Bamboo’s hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties make it an ideal substitute for plastic in daily-use products, offering both environmental and health benefits.”
In response to the explanations by Dr. CHENG Haitao, Director at ICBR, on the many benefits of bamboo for the global green transition, Mr. Borja De La Peña Escardó, Senior Global Policy Officer at INBAR, noted that the cost of processing it into usable materials remained, unfortunately, high:
“We are still in the early stages of bamboo-based product development. Although bamboo itself is inexpensive, we need to lower the costs of processing through technological innovation.”
Conclusion: A Call for Global Bamboo Cooperation
This event reinforced bamboo’s immense potential as an eco-friendly material, with global leaders agreeing on the urgent need for coordinated efforts to advance bamboo’s adoption in green industries worldwide to build a greener and more sustainable world.
For press enquiries:
Jonathan Schwestka, Deputy Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center