SINGAPORE, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Participants from 41 Asia-Pacific members under the regional office of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) took part in the third edition of the forum here on Wednesday.

The forum was held under the auspices of the UNEP and hosted by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources of Singapore.

The event saw governments, businesses, scientists, academia, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies coming together to address environmental issues in the world as well as identify key priorities and solutions.

The event was opened by Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of Environment of Estonia Siim Kiisler and Acting Executive Director of the UNEP Joyce Msuya.

The theme of the forum is "Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production."

"The Forum will advance the global conversation on combating key environmental issues, including climate change and the sustainable use of resources," the Singaporean minister said.

On the sidelines of the three-day forum there are exhibitions that showcase solutions and progress on environmental issues in the region, as well as dialogues on major challenges with the ministers and heads of delegations.

The outcomes of the forum will be brought to the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly that will be held in Nairobi, Kenya in March.

"Home to four billion people, the Asia and the Pacific is highly vulnerable to climate change. Global warming, pollution and ecosystem degradation are putting lives and livelihoods at risk," Msuya said, adding that "The region is also the source of some of the most innovative approaches to addressing these challenges, particularly in changing the way we consume and produce."