The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, attended the opening plenary of the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) co-organised by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in San Francisco, the United States, this morning (September 13, San Francisco time). At the summit, global political and business leaders as well as different stakeholders held an in-depth conversation on the benefits of delivering a clean energy economy and discussed the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on human life and prosperity. 

     In the afternoon, Mr Wong departed for Facebook Headquarters, where he toured the campus and met with the Director of Sustainability, Mr Edward Palmieri, and the Strategic Initiatives Manager, Ms Chaya Nayak, to understand more on the company's initiatives related to sustainable development and its leading role during natural disasters and other crises.

     Mr Wong then visited the Salesforce Transit Center, a newly opened intermodal transit station for bus and rail services, to see its green building features. The building was awarded the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold rating.

     Mr Wong will continue his itinerary at the GCAS tomorrow (September 14, San Francisco time), when he will deliver a speech on Hong Kong's efforts in mitigating climate change.

              

     The celebrated Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia – Roma will make its Hong Kong debut with two acclaimed young pianists, under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano, in November.
 
     The first concert, with an all-Russian programme, will be held on November 22 (Thursday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, while the second concert, which will be staged on November 23 (Friday) at the same auditorium, comprises a "feast" of Beethoven.
 
     To supplement these not-to-be-missed concerts, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organise two fringe activities for audiences. On October 24 (Wednesday), a film entitled "The Italian Character" will be screened at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, to be followed by a post-screening talk. The event is co-presented by the LCSD and the Italian Cultural Institute. "The Italian Character" won the Platinum Remi Production Award at the WorldFest Houston and second place in the Globo d'Oro's Best Documentary Film awards. Featuring details about the planning process for an orchestral concert and interviews with players and the conductor, the audience will gain insights into a fascinating world that is usually concealed.
 
     Savio Lau, the editor of a local Hi-fi magazine, will share his views on the documentary and the orchestra after the screening. The film is in English, Italian and Russian with English subtitles (in parts) while the talk will be conducted in Cantonese and supplemented in English. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first come, first served basis. Online registration can be made at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_600.html from now onwards.
 
     One week later, Lau will select and play recordings of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia – Roma over the years. As well as listening to the music, which will be played on high-end hi-fi equipment to provide superb sound quality, the audience will be entertained by Lau and music critics Edison Hung and Chui Yuen as they elaborate on the history and style of the orchestra. This event will be held at 7.30pm on October 31 ((Wednesday) at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Tickets priced at $100 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_608.html.

     The Innovation and Technology Commission today (September 14) invited Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality with significant achievements in science and technology to submit entries for the 2019 State Technological Invention Award (STIA) and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (SSTPA).

     The STIA and SSTPA are two award categories under the State Science and Technology Awards administered by the State Council. The Commission has been entrusted by the National Office for Science and Technology Awards to co-ordinate nominations from Hong Kong for the two awards since 2002.

     "The State Science and Technology Awards are highly prestigious in the national science and technology sector. They aim to recognise outstanding contributions to scientific and technological progress by citizens and organisations, commend the enthusiasm and creativity of scientists and technologists, accelerate the development of scientific and technological undertakings, and enhance overall national strength. We encourage local scientists and technologists to submit entries for the Awards," a spokesman for the Commission said.

     Entries for the 2019 STIA and SSTPA in Hong Kong will close on October 15, 2018. Details are available on www.itc.gov.hk/en/ssta. For enquiries, please contact the Innovation and Technology Commission (Tel: 2810 3904; email: ssta@itc.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong:

     The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong announced today (September 14) the results of the Pharmacist Registration Examinations held in June 2018.

     There were 73, 106 and 125 candidates respectively sitting for examinations in pharmacy legislation in Hong Kong, pharmacy practice and pharmacology, with corresponding passing rates of 64 per cent, 36 per cent and 55 per cent.

     Apart from meeting other requirements prescribed by the Board, any pharmacy graduate outside Hong Kong intending to be registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong is required to pass the above three subjects.

     The Board conducts its registration examinations twice a year, normally in June and December.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (September 14) that because of an oil spill red flags have been hoisted at Golden Beach and â€‹Cafeteria New Beach in Tuen Mun District. The beaches have been closed until further notice. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beaches.