GCC expert leads Asia Pacific Conference in Kuala Lumpur

The approximately 100 attendees from 27 countries got to hear from and speak to experts on an array of issues of importance to those engaged in the field of health, safety and environment.

Ujwal Ritwik, the Founder President of American Society of Safety Engineers, Middle East, presented the keynote speech. He gave an overview of the burning environmental issues as well as projections for the global environment in 2050.

Commenting on the global environment's resilience in the face of rising world temperature, Ritwik said:

"Here we were in probably the strongest GDP global growth in decades and that's with the sharp increases in carbon emission."

"On the face of it, human growth in both quality and numbers is the biggest challenge to the environment. At current consumption levels, we probably need two more earths to fulfill the needs. No one has the moral right or can challenge the access to better quality of life and given the opportunity that is what billions in China, India and many other countries are trying to attain. How you can stop growth? Consumption is the necessary baggage of economic development. If we want to have the cake and eat it too, if we want to grow and have a better environment too we need to redefine the paradigm. We have crossed the stage when a protocol here and one agreement there would make much difference," Ritwik added.

Embellished with facts figures and wit, the audience heard the address with rapt attention, silence broken by waves of laughter. Sirapop Pitakvoraratn, Vice President of Environmental Affairs of Pearl Oil, Thailand commented, "I have rarely heard a speaker telling complex environmental equations so easy to understand." Mohamed Abdul Manaf, a senior manager from a Malaysian energy company chuckled, "Ritwik proves the Middle East oil wells produce environmentalists too."

Although the conference delegates were mainly from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and other countries of the region, presence of attendees from the Middle East and even Mozambique gave a true intercontinental color to the event. Also, as with good conferences, attendees had ample opportunity during various coffee breaks, meals and receptions to network with business colleagues and make new and lasting business and personal friendships.

Ujwal Ritwik, who primarily operates from Kuwait, has been a much sought after keynote speaker and infotainer. In the Kuala Lumpur Asia Pacific forum he was the Chairperson as well as he presented a busy but interesting workshop on Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility, and led two panel discussions.

"We learnt a lot, he gave new dimension to what we do," said Hyun Shin, a Corporate Communication manger who attended the workshop, "CSR is more than a Public Relations stunt."

Yagoob Alrefai of ZADCO, UAE commented, "We are proud of Ujwal Ritwik, that he comes from GCC."

Ritwik also spoke about Process Safety, his second love after environment. He informed about invitation to speak at Abnormal Situation Management consortium meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. A globetrotter by choice he was excited that he would have opportunity to stay in the jungle of Kruger National Park.