SINGAPORE, 3 November 2009 - Hopenhagen - a campaign initiated by the United Nations with a mission to gather every person and every nation to support the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. It is a platform from which all can act on and create a powerful movement to influence change in Copenhagen. It is a movement for a better future for our planet and a more sustainable way of life. “We can save ourselves from ourselves”

Taking this lead in spreading this movement and the message of Hopenhagen, IndoChine Group is working together with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to bring people together to urge governments to pledge their commitment to save the environment and to reduce carbon emissions.

IUCN is the oldest and largest environmental network in the world and it is the only environmental agency that has a seat ion the United Nations General Assembly. It seeks to find the balance between supporting the needs of the people and supporting the needs of the environment. The agency helps the world to find pragmatic solutions to resolve pressing environmental issues and challenges. Working with various scientists and supporting their environmental research work, IUCN provides governments, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities with knowledge and assistance in implementing environmental and sustainable policies, laws and best practices. 

Since its inception, the IndoChine Group has been actively involved in various charity and environment projects such as the Red Cross, WWF, Development Alternatives Group and the Halogen Foundation. In addition, the company has a strong corporate policy of conservation through recycling, an environmentally friendly menu which does not serve endangered species and using heat exchange systems to conserve energy usage. Hence, the partnership with IUCN is a natural progression in IndoChine’s environment program to promote and generate more awareness on global warming and the deterioration of the environment. Working together to launch IndoChine’s first Green Festival, which is held in conjunction with the IndoChine Festival, the weeklong events are platforms where corporations and individuals can learn more about creating a sustainable future. 

“The IndoChine Group has always been actively involved with saving the environment. We have been supporting Development Alternatives Group headed by Dr. Ashok Khosla. For the last two IndoChine Festivals, we have adopted Development Alternatives Group as our nominated charity raising funds and awareness for Dr. Khosla’s identified causes. This year, we have decided to promote IUCN and support their mission to Copenhagen in December and what better way to raise awareness on this but through the the platform of IndoChine Festival, and our 10th Anniversary Celebrations and by working with the APEC CEO Summit,” says Michael Ma, CEO of IndoChine Group. 

IndoChine’s Green Festival will take place in Singapore from 10 November to 16 November 2009. Starting the Festival off on 10 November 2009 is an art exhibition ”Peace of Art” showcased by renowned Singapore artist Sun Yu Li. On 11 November 2009, a closed door panel discussion jointly organized with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, and the Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy will present a panel discussion chaired by Simon Tay, Director of Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Schwartz Fellow from Asia Society to discuss on “The Impacts on Climate Change” and how corporate companies and governments should have an immediate action plan, working towards creating a sustainable future. Panelists include IUCN’s representatives Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji, Mr. Donald J. Macintosh, Mr. Ganesh Pangare and Dr. T.P Singh. 

The next event kicks off on a lighter note with IndoChine’s annual charity gala “Tropical Fiesta Gala Night”, which will be held at the breathtaking IndoChine Empress Place on Thursday, 12 November 2009. This Gala Night will be different from all other Tropical Fiesta Gala as it also celebrates IndoChine’s 10 years of growth in Asia. A guest-list of IndoChine’s friends from around the world and APEC delegates will be turning up for a night of environmental education and absolute revelry. The evening is packed with a host of international entertainment acts: The Cotton Club and Therésa Neaimé from Sweden and Corinne Gibbons from Australia will mesmerize all guests with their infectious performances and enchanting voices. To top off the evening, an “Amazonia” Fashion Show will be staged by the Brazilian Embassy to promote “eco “fashion in line with the theme of this year’s Festival’s theme. 

After an evening of festivity, the events on 13 November 2009 will kick off with a serious agenda where APEC CEO delegates of multi-national corporations such as Procter and Gamble, Microsoft, DHL and Siemens will meet for a closed door meeting to discuss the various pressing issues on the agenda for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. 

Following this, ‘Countdown to Copenhagen Concert’ will be held at IndoChine Empress Place with both international and local artistes coming together to raise awareness on environmental concerns. Returning acts performing for this evening include The Cotton Club, Therésa Neaimé and Corinne Gibbons. Joining them are The Philippine Allstars, Brazilian Drummers International, our local boys, Energy and a list of international DJs to keep the party going till late. 

“Working together with APEC CEO Summit and the IndoChine Group, IUCN is grateful for its support and its commitment to promote the message of saving the environment. The Green Talks and the Countdown to Copenhagen Concert are crucial platforms for IUCN to reach out to corporate companies and individuals and we are certain that this Festival will be a success!” says Camilla Hall, Special Advisor to IUCN.

During the weekend, 14 and 15 November will be filled with various parties and programs, which includes “by invitation” only sailing expedition around Singapore to show guests the importance and beauty of marine life. To wrap up IndoChine’s Green Festival “Green Talks”, on 16 November, IndoChine will host a discussion for Scandavian Cleantech Forum on environmental solutions. Various scientists and experts will be on present to share their ideas and experiences. 

IndoChine Group is also working together with the Brazilian Embassy to publicize the “Amazonia” experience from 20 November to 30 November 2009 at City Hall. This exhibition gives people an opportunity to sense the beauty of the Amazon jungle- the sights, the sounds and the biodiversity of Brazilian Amazon life. 

Environment conservation needs to be our way of life. “We need to save ourselves from ourselves” That is the message of Hopenhagen As HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco (Europe recipient of United Nations Environment Program Champions of the Earth 2008) says, “… we need to reexamine our lifestyles and consider how our actions and daily lives are affecting our world. Give what you can, whether it is in the form of money, time, resources, your endorsement, or an inspirational act, deed, song or word.” If we do not act now as an individual or as a company, our future generations will suffer.

To view event details, click here.

About the IndoChine Group
Founded by entrepreneur Michael Ma in late 1999, the IndoChine Group of bars, restaurants, clubs, cafés, hotel and resort is a unique reflection of contemporary Asian lifestyle that is synonymous for its authentic ‘nutriceutical’ cuisine, award winning designs, prominent events and internationally famed parties. Apart from the 15 outlets in Singapore, IndoChine has establishments in KL, Malaysia; Hamburg, Germany and most recently, New Delhi, India. This is in addition to the latest hotel and resort development located in Kalim Bay, Phuket. Extremely popular with the jet-set crowd, local and international guests are offered more than just a bevy of stylish and sophisticated eateries; they are presented with an exciting and inimitable holistic lifestyle and entertainment experience. The IndoChine Group is fast growing to become an international lifestyle group with plans currently, to expand further in the Asia Pacific region, as well as into the Middle East and Europe.

About IndoChine Festival
The IndoChine Festival was first organized to provide the elite in and around Europe, the Middle East and Asia opportunities in which to network and establish potential business partnerships, through a superb line-up of convivial activities. In the last few years, an esteemed guest list comprising of royalty, celebrities, well-known business personalities and socialites have come together for this prestigious event held in the Lion City. VIPs such as Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Joe Jackson, father of the former King of Pop Michael Jackson, Mom Ratchawongse Chatumongol Sonakul, Dr. Ashok Khosla, founder off Development Alternatives, Francis Yeo, Chairman of YTL and actress celebrity Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Charlie Webster and Jamie Ong are amongst some of the high-profile guests who have graced the annual IndoChine Festival since 2003.

About IUCN
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.

IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, in Switzerland.

To learn more, go to //www.iucn.org/

About HOPENHAGEN
Hopenhagen is a movement, a moment and a chance at a new beginning. The hope that in Copenhagen this December – during the United Nations Climate Change Conference – we can build a better future for our planet and a more sustainable way of life. It is the hope that we can create a global community that will lead our leaders into making the right decisions. The promise that by solving our environmental crisis, we can solve our economic crisis at the same time.

Hopenhagen is change – and that change will be powered by all of us.

To learn more, go to //www.hopenhagen.org/mission

COP15 The United Nations Climate Change Conference
To be held in Copenhagen, Denmark – one of the greenest cities in the world – this conference is thought to be the last major chance the world has to decide on a concrete and effective plan for reducing carbon emissions. It’s also an amazing opportunity for humanity and the planet.

To learn more, go to //www.cop15.org/