Nick Bolkus, Global Vice Chairman of APCEO, Chairman of APCEO Australia, Former Minister of Australia, makes a summary statement at 2nd WORLD EMERGING INDUSTRIES SUMMIT (WEIS 2013)

Mr Zheng Xiongwei, Global Executive Chairman APCEO

Mr Tang Liangzhi, Mayor, City of Wuhan,

Almost twenty years ago, US President Bill Clinton was one who identified the areas we discuss today as the growth sectors of the future.

Now some twenty years later we know that, in China alone, within 4 years, these same emerging industries will account for some 15% of China’s GDP.

And they will have entrenched themselves as the pillars of the world’s economic future.

So it’s a great pleasure to be in Wuhan today, at the invitation of the Mayor of the Wuhan Municipal Council, Mr Tang Liangzhi ,to address this important Agenda.

We are honoured by the presence of Mr Dominique De Villepin, Former Prime Minister of France and current President of the Asia Pacific CEO Association, and by the presence of such an impressive list of keynote speakers.

We are also encouraged by the support of the Democratic Party Leader in the US House of Representatives, the Honourable Nancy Pelosi who unfortunately can’t be with us.

Our deliberations are also enriched by the presence of over a hundred high level executives from over 80 countries.

One of our keynote speakers, Mr Jeremy Rifkin has identified this global development as,in his words, “the Third Industrial Revolution”.

Another keynote speaker, Mr John Nesbitt, talks of “China Megatrends”, and in doing so identifies the magnitude of the impact of these new industries.

This Summit is a timely one.

We live in what I like to call the “Age of Mobility” where change is a constant.

Unless one embrace’s change they embrace irrelevance.

Emerging Industries present options to run economies and societies smarter, cleaner and better.

They aim to maximise the sustainability of growth and development.

In doing so, they challenge the “dirty industries “of the past which in turn fight for their survival.

This of course presents political challenges which have to be met.

And with the emergence of these industries come opportunities which have to be maximised.

For as we share intelligence we need to give assurances that the creators of intellectual property have their interests protected.

And we need to develop agendas and mechanisms to maximise the sharing.

The two core themes of this important Summit are Innovation and Cooperation.

I wish you all very fruitful discussions.