The Secretary for Transportation and Public Works, Ao Man Long, today (23 August) departed for Johannesburg to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Mr. Ao will attend the World Summit in the capital of South Africa from 26 August to 4 September. He will represent the Macao SAR and will act as a member of the China delegation.

The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development will bring together thousands of participants, including heads of State and Government, national delegates and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses and other major groups. The participants will focus the world's attention and direct action toward meeting difficult challenges, including improving people's lives and conserving natural resources in a world that is growing in population, with ever-increasing demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security.