The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) annual meeting was held in Wellington, New Zealand from 10 - 11 November. It coincides with the Sustainable Procurement Conference entitled “Smarter buying: better future” sponsored by the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. It took place at the Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington from 7 to 8 November.

Hong Kong was represented at the GEN meeting by Ms Linda Ho of Green Council. Presentations during the meeting on strategic issues include, among others, the Status and 2006 Planned Activities for GENICES and the 2005 Common Criteria Co-operation/Collaboration Project. Participants were invited to make short presentations on "Process for Product Category Selection for Criteria Development Work". Ms Linda Ho deliberated on the subject as well.

The Sustainable Procurement Conference was well attended by industry and government leaders already involved in sustainable procurement, procurement officers in all sectors - public sector agencies and private companies, suppliers of goods and services, academics working on sustainability issues, and organisations and individuals interested in values-based purchasing. The Conference provided an excellent opportunity for purchasers and suppliers to share information on practical and realistic practice and explore opportunities for further development.

Sustainable procurement takes into account the best value for money, environmental aspects over the life cycle of products as well as social aspects. Ecolabelling is recognized to be an important tool for procurement.