A roadmap for regional green growth is set to be revealed when high-level figures from business and politics converge on the border of Gloucestershire this July.

Launching at the ICC Wales in Newport, the Western Gateway promises to bring together 750 businesses of all sizes, alongside academics and local leaders, to collaborate on plans for a greener, fairer economy.

Headline speakers at the 2024 Convention of the Western Gateway are set to include a host of MPs, including Michael Gove, Angela Rayner and newly appointed Wales First Miniser Vaughan Gething.

The Western Gateway is a pan-regional "powerhouse" partnership for South Wales and Western England. Launched by the government in 2019, the partnership brings together businesses, universities and local leaders to focus on achieving more for, as reported in this recent initiative for South Wales and Western England.

A spokesman explained: "Already the partnership has been leading a campaign to invest in the area's rail network, developed a cross-border strategy for how hydrogen can decarbonise industry and championed new low carbon energy sites as a way to deliver high-skilled jobs for future generations."

The Convention will be the area's major political and economic event of the year and prmises to lay out plans for how South Wales and Western England can lead the UK to deliver economic growth.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council and Vice Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, said: "There is more that unites our communities than divides us. Together our, shared strengths and assets present a genuinely world leading opportunity to ensure we can help lead the UK into it a more productive future adding £34bn to the UK economy by 2030.

"With economic growth high on the national agenda, I look forward to welcoming businesses and politicians from across the UK to discuss how we can make our vision for our nation a reality."

Cllr Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport Council and Vice Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership added: "With a highly skilled workforce, world leading innovation and a centre for major industry, our area has huge potential to deliver for the UK economy with a key role to play in ensuring we create the growth our country needs.

"For too long the conversation in the UK has been focused on a North and South divide. We are ready to make the case for why South Wales and Western England will be key to ensuring the UK can build on success to generate the opportunities our economy needs to create real sustainable growth."

Ian Edwards, CEO of the Celtic Collection, said: "As a business leader, I know that business doesn't see borders. With 80,000 people crossing the Severn Bridge every day for work, leisure and family the Western Gateway represents a natural economic geography and it's only right that we have a plan that brings together the best of the area to plan for our future.

● An early-bird offer on tickets is available until April 20th. Full details can be found on the 2024 Convention for the Western Gateway website.