Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau will leave for Tel Aviv this afternoon to attend WATEC 2009, an international exhibition and conference on water and environmental technologies.

WATEC 2009 - or the 5th International Water Technologies, Renewable Energy & Environmental Control Exhibition and the 2nd International Conference - showcases the latest innovations in water and energy efficiency, and water quality. It will attract 20,000 participants from more than 80 countries, including more than 70 international delegations and 250 exhibitors.

Mr Yau will speak at a session on co-operation between non-governmental organisations and businesses in achieving sustainable development.

He will also call on Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan, Minister of Industry, Trade & Labour Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer, Minister of National Infrastructure Uzi Landau, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Economic Affairs Division Deputy Director-General Irit Ben-Abba.

Mr Yau will visit leading Israeli companies in the fields of water and environmental technologies and meet with the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce.

Before leaving Israel on November 18 he will meet Ministry of National Infrastructure Director-General Hezy Kugler and visit more firms to learn about the latest technology in waste treatment.