World Congress Agenda

Registration opens with welcome tea and coffee

Welcome speeches and opening remarks – Chair, President & CEO, Incoming Chair/ Host

Welcome to Country ceremony

In August 2024, the Productivity Commission (PC) commenced an inquiry into the opportunities in the circular economy. This followed a commitment by Australia’s Environment Ministers to accelerate the transition to a circular economy by 2030. According to the PC, international studies suggest that a more circular economy supports higher economic growth and productivity, however, Australia currently has the fourth lowest rate of materials productivity in the OECD. How do we address the commercial, regulatory, financial and other barriers to achieving a more circular economy? What are the latest trends and research on measuring and realising the opportunities for business and for regional development? How do we ensure that small business and SMEs are not left behind? Bega Valley presents an informative case study.

Speaker: Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO FAA FTSE HonFIEAust CPEng
2022 NSW Australian of the Year ARC LAUREATE FELLOW DIRECTOR, ARC Microrecycling Research Hub HUB LEADER, Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, National Environmental Science Program DIRECTOR, Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology

Over 3 billion people worldwide rely on marine and coastal resources for their survival. The oceans are the main regulator of the Earth’s climate but they are being depleted. How do we develop the blue/ ocean economy on an equitable and sustainable basis, so that micro and small enterprises prosper alongside larger businesses, whilst protecting the environment? In the Asia-Pacific and other regions, what are the opportunities presented by the blue economy?

The future of finance includes integrating sustainability into investment strategies and corporate practices. What are the trends and research indicating on the topic of responsible/ impact investment, including climate finance for emerging economies? Are climate equity and climate justice part of the equation? How do we ensure the costs and benefits are shared equally, including across individuals and businesses of all sizes and across regions? Does this impact profitability?

Summary of key takeaways and preview of Day 2

Welcome tea and coffee

Speaker: Dr. Len Humphreys, CChem, FRSC
Executive Chairman and Co-founder Licella Holdings

Dr Len Humphreys is an entrepreneur, innovator and veteran of the science, technology, and clean energy industries, with many award winning eco-technology start ups. Len has pioneered low-carbon technology solutions and renewable energy in Australia and internationally for over 35 years. He is the Co-founder of Licella Holdings, global leaders in Hydrothermal Liquefaction using Licella’s pioneering Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR™) technology. Len is the inventor of several patents, with Licella’s technology being used in biomass to advanced bio-fuels in some of the world’s leading projects and facilities. It's advanced recycling platform is a circular solution for problem plastic, with further innovations in battery technology being used around the world.

Panelists: Dr Ayman El Tarabishy (USA), Prof Ki-Chan Kim (South Korea), Prof Rico Baldegger (Switzerland and USA)

According to the IMD Global Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Australia ranks 60 out of 67 countries for entrepreneurship. Against a backdrop where 60% of businesses fail within the first 5yrs of starting and 20% fail within the first year, what is the incentive to start a business? What’s different in countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, Denmark and the USA, where according to IMD, they do it better? What can Australians learn about ‘having a go’ and being entrepreneurial?

In August 2024, the ASBFEO released its report Energising enterprise 14 Steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses. The report refers to ABS data that small business generates 33% of Australia’s GDP and provides 42% of the private workforce. However, in 2006, small business contributed 40% of GDP and employed 53% of private sector jobs. According to the ATO, 46% of small businesses did not make a profit in the most recent year of accounts. The Ombudsman says, ‘We are sleepwalking into a ‘big corporate’ economy’. In Australia and in many other countries, the small business sector is shrinking – is this a crisis or inevitable?

What’s happening with different political, economic and social systems around the world? What is the impact on sustainable growth? What are the shared lessons? Does Confucian capitalism – where east and west meet – offer practical insights? What’s the role of trade policy where supply chains have become intertwined, trade blocs have developed and trade and tariffs have become politicized? How is trade and development being impacted by geopolitical tensions? What’s been the impact on micro and small enterprises?