Ireland Portugal Business Network to celebrate Lisbon Green Capital 2020 with special Sustainability Forum

The Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN) launched its annual Sustainability Forum for 2020, with a particularly relevant programme as Lisbon celebrates its tenure as EU Green Capital 2020.

The theme of this year's event taking place on Monday, March 16, is “Developments in Building Technology and the Built Environment: Implications for Sustainable Economic Development”.

IPBN chairwoman Aoife Healy said this year’s programme will focus on new and emerging thinking and innovation in the design and construction of buildings as well as technology used to operate them and their surrounding environment.

Another key aspect involves a ‘sustainable economic development’ panel discussion on Tourism Development – regarded as the most significant economic tie between Ireland and Portugal with much shared knowledge and experience.

Registration has officially opened for the full-day event which is being hosted by Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Camara de Comercio e Industria Portuguesa (CCIP).

The forum is timed to coincide with St Patrick's Day celebrations on March 17 and is the principal event in the IPBN’s annual calendar (*see notes to editors for full programme). Chief sponsors include Enterprise Ireland and Dense Air Portugal.

“The Sustainability Forum is a seminal event in the IPBN’s annual calendar," said Aoife. “Following the success of our first forum in 2019, we are again looking to attract an audience of those seeking to be educated on the latest developments, those looking for new ideas and those looking to network and form connections and collaborations across borders. We have developed a fast-paced format to keep our audience engaged with a series of presentations, case studies and panel discussions from more than 20 experts.

“There will be excellent opportunities to network with speakers and other guests, making it an essential date for the diary of anyone interested in developing bi-lateral opportunities and sharing knowledge and information across the ‘sustainability’ sphere. Our aim is to create an environment to help participants become more aware of sustainability activities within both countries, allowing them to form collaborations and partnerships - and ultimately drive bilateral trade activity.”

The programme features speakers from Municipal Authorities, Government agencies and private enterprises including Dublin Council, Camara Municipal de Lisboa, EDP, Oceanario de Lisboa, Technical University of Dublin, BlueShift, Decade Development Management, Pestana Hotel Group and Lisbon Tourism Board.

Ambassador of Ireland to Portugal Ralph Victory, President of CCIP Bruno Bobone and Honorary President of the IPBN Tony Boyle are also set to attend.

Susan Cabeceiras, co-organiser and CEO at Lisbon-based architectural design firm Konceptness, said the annual Sustainability Forum has special resonance this year as Lisbon celebrates the European Green Capital Award 2020.

“The European Commission award pays tribute to European cities where innovative urban environmental management and initiatives have taken hold,” she said. “It’s an incredibly proud year for all who have been involved in Lisbon’s renaissance over recent years and its rapid emergence as a progressive, forward-thinking European powerhouse. It also demonstrates how Lisbon is leading the way in setting higher standards in sustainable urban development, listening to what its citizens want and delivering innovative solutions to environmental challenges.”