United Nations in China

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04 November 2026

World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit 2026

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03 November 2026

The Yunnan Model | A Documentary on Development Driven by Biodiversity

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03 November 2026

Fifteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development 2026

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Latest

Speech

04 November 2026

World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit 2026

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Video

03 November 2026

The Yunnan Model | A Documentary on Development Driven by Biodiversity

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03 November 2026

Fifteenth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development 2026

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The Sustainable Development Goals in China

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in China:

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03 November 2026

The Yunnan Model | A Documentary on Development Driven by Biodiversity

Can biodiversity become a driver of development?In July 2026, during his visit to Yunnan, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with beneficiaries of UN-supported projects and local partners. The Yunnan Model was presented as an approach to sustainable development.In Yunnan Province in southwest China, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, rural revitalisation, gender equality and social inclusion are not separate ambitions. They are coming together to shape a more sustainable future.Through four stories, The Yunnan Model follows the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). From traditional medicinal plants and traditional rice varieties to women building livelihoods and families transforming their communities, the documentary explores how protecting nature can create opportunities for people.Rooted in local experience, the lessons of the Yunnan Model reach far beyond China, offering insights into how biodiversity can help drive inclusive and sustainable development.A story from Yunnan, with lessons for the world.A documentary by the United Nations in China.

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Speech

22 October 2026

UN DAY 2026

Your Excellency Mr. Cai Wei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Our United Nations Family in China,
Friends,
大家好！A warm welcome to the UN in China!
Your presence reflects a shared commitment to the ideals of multilateralism.
And our heartfelt thanks to our media partner, Yī Cái of Shanghai Media Group, and our supporting partner, SIHOO, for their invaluable support.Friends –
On 5 March 2021, just a week into my new assignment as Resident Coordinator in Kenya, I witnessed history.
Through the joint efforts of UNICEF, WHO and others, the very first units of the new COVAX vaccine against COVID-19 had landed at Nairobi Airport.
And I had the honour to preside over the very first vaccinations at Nairobi Hospital.
I stood shoulder to shoulder with Kenya’s Director General of Health as he gamely offered his arm for the very first vaccination.
And I captured the moment with my iPhone.
So! Please turn away now if you are squeamish about needles!
This is the photo.
That emotional photo triggers so many reflections.
Of Kenyans, who would now enjoy the same protection as folks at home in Ireland.
Of my own family who, still in Libreville, Gabon, had been protected with doses of SINOVAX, generously donated by China.
[Revert from photo to original introductory PPT slide here]
And most of all, an electric sense that COVAX represented the very best of multilateralism:
- International cooperation, in the face of a world-shaking crisis,
- Rapidly identifying groundbreaking solutions
- And getting them to those who needed them most.Friends – I don’t believe I have ever been prouder of the UN than that day.
Our great patron saint of multilateralism, former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, famously said: “The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.”
The COVID-19 pandemic was a sudden new form of hell.
And the UN was central to the response.
As it is today in seeking elusive global consensus on preparing against the next pandemic.
Or in confronting the looming hell of climate catastrophe, which already punishes those who did least to create it.
The UN still proudly carries Hammarskjöld’s DNA: we are called to help our planet and peoples confront multiple, competing hells simultaneously.And friends – every day, around the world, we are doing just that.
Every United Nations Day, we celebrate an institution that each year reaches almost half a billion children under 5 to prevent malnutrition.
That fed 121 million people every day last year through some of the worst conflicts.
That saw into force, this January, the historic Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions, giving hope that we can protect our oceans.
That helped 130 countries last year to adapt their agrifood systems to the ravages of climate change.
That continues the vital, impossible job of keeping the peace in some of the world’s least peaceful places.
I could go on…But we also gather to reaffirm, and yes, to protect, an idea.
That humanity’s greatest challenges can only be solved through cooperation.
That our futures are interconnected.
And that progress, when shared, leads to peace.
Today, those ideas face scepticism or even threat.
But they matter more than ever.We meet at a moment of profound transition: for the world, for China and for the United Nations itself.
The year 2026 marks the beginning of China’s Fifteenth Five-Year Plan and the final stretch toward the 2030 Agenda.
China’s continued success will be essential to global progress on the SDGs.
Through more than forty years, China has shown what ambitious development can achieve: more than 800 million people lifted out of absolute poverty, vast improvements in health, education and living standards and a growing leadership role in innovation and renewable energy.
These achievements have changed lives in China and contributed significantly to global development itself.
The defining question now is how China’s own development can help shape the next chapter of global development – a chapter that will be fundamentally different.
Demographic change, the climate emergency, technological revolutions and rising inequality are reshaping our societies.
And they demand new thinking, new partnerships and renewed commitment to the common good.That is why the UN’s work in China over the next five years rests on three interconnected priorities.
The first is “In China, For China”: helping ensure that China’s meteoric development is shared by all citizens.
Our new Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework focuses on:
- strengthening social protection,
- supporting healthy ageing,
- advancing gender equality,
- promoting innovation and skills,
- accelerating green transformation,
- and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Because the ultimate measure of development is not how fast a society moves.
It is how far all its people move together.The second is “From China for the Global South.”
China’s development journey generates lessons that resonate far beyond its borders, from poverty reduction and renewable energy to digital transformation and public health.
The UN’s role has never been to promote any single model.
It is to connect development experience with demand and help countries learn from one another.
In facilitating China South-South and Triangular Cooperation, we are helping to continue vital global solidarity.And the third is “From China for Multilateralism.”
Friends – multilateralism is not a diplomatic abstraction.
It is the necessary complement to our global interdependence.
No nation can stabilize the climate alone.
No nation can balance the opportunities and threats of artificial intelligence alone.
No nation can deliver the SDGs alone.
As H.E. President Xi Jinping noted: Multilateralism is “about having international affairs managed by all parties through consultation and the future of the world decided by all countries working together.”
That same spirit animates the UN Charter.
And, Your Excellency Assistant Minister, I deeply appreciate China’s partnership and support for multilateralism with the UN at its centre.Friends – Uncertainty in the world is not an argument against cooperation, but for it.
The answer to fragmentation cannot be further fragmentation.
The answer to distrust cannot be disengagement.
The the answer to shared challenges cannot be isolated solutions.
And the flame of multilateralism cannot be guaranteed by institutions alone.
It can only be kept alive by the international political will, leadership and partnerships that accept these fundamental tenets.Excellencies, this afternoon you will briefly hear from some voices that bring to life the UN’s work in and from China:
- Representing “In China, for China,” we will hear from Mr. Yán Zé Zhèng, a young Special Olympics athlete with autism whose opportunities have expanded through UN China’s work on inclusion.
- Representing “From China for the Global South,” Mr. Zhāng Chángfēng, Deputy Mayor of Sanya, whose city’s experience shows the power of South-South cooperation.
- And representing “From China for Multilateralism,” Prof. Shào Yílěi, an innovator exploring how artificial intelligence and human development must remain in careful global balance.
Individual stories, but together they tell a larger story of possibility and solidarity.And to conclude, that’s why the story I began with, in Kenya, stays with me.
Because of the seismic change that can be realized when countries work together.
As we celebrate United Nations Day, let us recommit to a more inclusive, more sustainable and more peaceful future.
A future in which reinvigorated multilateralism, with the UN at its centre, continues to deliver for generations now and to come.
Not because cooperation is easy. But because it is indispensable.Thank you.
谢谢大家！

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Speech

03 November 2026

Inauguration Ceremony of the UN-Habitat China Office

Your Excellency UN Habitat Executive Director, Your Excellency, Minister Ni Hong Your Excellency, President Nga Kor Ming Distinguished representatives from China’s Ministries and agencies Friends from the United Nations system, Friends, Today is a moment of shared pride. On behalf of the United Nations Country Team, I extend our collective congratulations to UN-Habitat and our Chinese partners on the inauguration of the first full UN Habitat China Office. We warmly welcome UN-Habitat’s strengthened presence within our common endeavour to support China’s sustainable development and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. For UN China, this Office brings an important capacity closer to the national and local institutions working on housing, sustainable urban development and human settlements. Its value will lie not simply in being based in Beijing, but in its ability to listen more closely, respond more effectively and sustain longer-term engagement with Chinese counterparts: for work at home and across the world. The Office will help connect China’s development priorities with UN-Habitat’s technical knowledge and international networks, while ensuring that cooperation remains grounded in China’s own context and experience. Friends – This is not about bringing ready-made models into China. It is about creating space for joint problem-solving: examining evidence, testing approaches, learning from implementation and adapting solutions to different local circumstances. In that sense, the Office can become a practical interface between China’s urban development priorities and the broader resources of the United Nations. It can support Chinese partners in addressing complex challenges that cut across sectors and administrative boundaries, while also providing a channel through which experience gained in China can inform international policy dialogue and cooperation. Urban development is indispensable to the 2030 Agenda because social, economic and environmental priorities converge in cities and communities. Decisions on housing influence health and social inclusion. Choices on transport and land use affect emissions, air quality and access to opportunity. Investment in resilience protects lives, livelihoods and essential public services. For this reason, Sustainable Development Goal 11 should not be treated as a self-contained goal. It is a means of advancing many goals at once. Progress in cities can generate benefits across the 2030 Agenda, provided that policies are designed around people’s needs rather than institutional boundaries. As Resident Coordinator, my responsibility is to help ensure that the United Nations Country Team’s support for China is coherent, demand-driven and aligned with national priorities. I welcome the Office as an integral part of the United Nations presence in China. UN-Habitat’s specialist expertise will strengthen our collective ability to support integrated approaches to sustainable development, while the Office’s work will also benefit from the perspectives and capabilities of the wider United Nations system. This commitment to coherent and nationally aligned support is reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030, which provides the foundation for our partnership with China. As we implement the Framework, the measure of success will not be the number of meetings held or documents produced. It will be whether our cooperation helps generate practical solutions, strengthen institutions and improve outcomes for people — especially those whose needs are too often overlooked in urban decision-making. Effective cooperation also depends on partnerships beyond governments and international organizations. Local authorities, communities, researchers, civil society and responsible businesses each possess knowledge that no single institution can provide. The Office can help create settings where these different perspectives are heard, and where international exchange is genuinely reciprocal. Excellencies, friends – It’s a truism to say that China’s enjoyed a meteoric development path over recent decades. And within that unprecedented rise, ensuring an urbanization that has been as well-planned and managed as it has been massive has been amongst China’s prouder achievements. Experience from China can inform other countries, just as experience from elsewhere can offer useful points of comparison for China. The purpose is not to rank cities or prescribe a single pathway. It is to expand the range of choices available to all. Excellencies, friends, I look forward to an Office that is open, practical and firmly oriented towards results: an Office that serves as a trusted partner to China and a constructive member of the United Nations Country Team. If the Office fulfils this role, its impact will be felt far beyond China— in stronger institutions, more resilient communities, and cities that offer greater opportunity and dignity to all. Thank you.

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24 July 2026

Op-ed: Small-scale farmers key to food security

So far, this has been a summer of extremes. Record-breaking heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere have scorched fields and strained the food systems in Western Europe, which recorded its hottest June on record. In parts of Asia, temperatures have also soared well above seasonal averages. At the same time, Typhoon Bavi has just swept across eastern China, displacing millions and leaving a trail of damage to farmland and rural infrastructure in its wake. These events are not isolated incidents. They are the latest expressions of a climate system under severe and intensifying stress.Extreme heat already threatens the livelihoods of over 1 billion people, causing an annual loss of 470 billion labor hours across the global agricultural sector. For most major crops, yield declines begin above 30 C; livestock experience stress at even lower thresholds. In 2024, 91 percent of the global ocean experienced at least one marine heat wave. Critically, extreme heat does not act alone. It amplifies water stress, triggers flash droughts and creates conditions for pest and disease outbreaks. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, agricultural losses can triple when heat coincides with other hazards such as drought.China is already living the reality of climate change and the impacts of extreme heat. Over the past 50 years, the country's average surface temperature has risen by 0.31 C per decade, faster than the global average. The consequences are unfolding across its farms and threatening food production and rural livelihoods.Typically, rice yields begin to decline once temperatures exceed 28 C. In the case of maize, every additional degree of warming reduces global yields by 7.5 percent, while extreme heat during flowering can cause even greater losses. Although China's grain output has remained above 650 million metric tons for 10 consecutive years, yields could decline by 8.7 percent across the country's maize belt by the end of the century under a high-emissions pathway.The message is unmistakable: Climate change is no longer a future threat for China and, indeed, the world. It is already reducing harvests, degrading productive land and increasing the urgency of investing in climate-resilient agriculture.Smallholder farmers, the "first mile" of our food system, bear a disproportionate share of this burden. In China, they represent 90 percent of the agricultural workforce and cultivate 70 percent of the country's arable land. Globally, they produce a significant share of the food that feeds the world, yet they are the least equipped to absorb the shocks that climate change delivers. Access to climate information, affordable insurance, resilient infrastructure and the financial reserves needed to recover from a bad season can remain limited.To jointly tackle these challenges facing China's smallholders, the International Fund for Agricultural Development has long partnered with the Chinese government, centering climate resilience for small-scale producers as a core pillar of its mission. Since 1981, IFAD has invested significantly in China and partnered with the government to have an impact on the lives of approximately 4.6 million poor rural households.In Yunnan province, IFAD-supported youth entrepreneurs have modernized irrigation networks with smartphone-controlled drip systems, greatly improving water efficiency — an adaptation measure that peer-reviewed evidence shows can offset heat impacts on crops in the short run. This matters because research confirms that irrigation expansion has been one of the primary mechanisms through which Chinese farmers have adapted to extreme temperatures over the past three decades.China also contributes significantly to global climate resilience. Through the China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility, China is actively sharing its climate-smart agricultural innovations with countries across the Global South, while also learning from their practices. A compelling example is an ongoing initiative in partnership with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization, which is leveraging China's extensive expertise in bamboo cultivation to strengthen climate resilience among smallholder farmers in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. The project equips farmers with climate-smart techniques for bamboo production and processing, provides small enterprises with low-cost equipment to add value to bamboo products, and builds local institutional capacity.Across its global portfolio, IFAD is investing in a similarly diverse range of climate adaptation solutions. Through our Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme, IFAD channeled $1.4 billion in climate finance to smallholder farmers between 2022 and 2024, supporting 6 million small-scale farmers worldwide. In Kyrgyzstan, herders in remote mountain pastures receive 10-day advance warnings of weather hazards, allowing them to plan their grazing routes before storms arrive. In Bangladesh, the IFAD-funded Coastal Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project built improved markets and market-connecting roads designed to remain usable during the monsoon season, increasing on-farm income from crop and fish sales by 104 percent and 50 percent, respectively, reducing poverty by 4 percent, and reducing food insecurity among participating households. These results underscore that transformative adaptation addressing the interactions between food systems and climate change requires adequate, accessible and appropriate financing that reaches smallholder farmers directly.The challenge ahead is systemic and urgent. Extreme heat is no longer a distant risk but a present reality reshaping agricultural production, rural livelihoods and global food security. Addressing it requires collective action: governments investing in climate-resilient infrastructure; international institutions channeling finance and knowledge to those most in need; and the private sector developing affordable technologies that reach smallholder farmers at scale.The storms will keep coming. The heat will keep rising. But with the right investments in the "first mile", and the right partnerships to sustain them, we can build resilient and enduring food systems.

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22 May 2026

China’s Practices for Global Challenges – UN-Habitat China Office Unveils Key Achievements at the 13th World Urban Forum

During the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), the UN-Habitat China Office hosted a networking event themed “Buildings for the Future - Advancing the Climate-Housing Nexus through Digital Innovation”. The event presented annual research findings and on-the-ground case studies, bringing together experts from urban governments, academic institutions and international organizations across countries for in-depth exchanges.Under the theme of "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities", the WUF13 addresses core issues including global housing shortages, informal settlement governance, climate adaptation and urban resilience. 2026 marks the midpoint of the UN’s New Urban Agenda, as global urban transformation increasingly intersects with climate-related challenges, sustainable development is confronted with new and urgent pressures. Against this backdrop, drawing on China’s practical experience in artificial intelligence (AI), smart construction, green buildings, and urban regeneration, the UN-Habitat China Office has built a cross-regional dialogue platform to facilitate in-depth international cooperation on housing, climate action and digital innovation. Launch of the Flagship Report, AI-Empowered Urban Governance Research Outcomes Enters Global Policy DiscourseA key highlight of the event was the official launch of Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2025: AI and Cities, published in all six official UN languages by the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council (CFCC). Compiled under the leadership of Academician WANG Jian of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the report systematically maps the applications of artificial intelligence in urban planning, infrastructure development, energy management, and public services, while outlining a forward-looking roadmap for AI-enabled sustainable urban development.Released in six official UN languages, the report marks the formal integration of this China-derived research framework into the global policy dialogue system. By translating local practices into shareable international experiences, China’s insights and experience in AI-driven urban governance are evolving into global public goods with universal reference value. Mid-Term Outcomes of 2026 Annual Report Unveiled: “Global Initiative for Future Buildings” Gains MomentumProfessor LI Xiangning, Vice President of Tongji University and principle author of the 2026 annual report of CFCC, presented the mid-term outcomes of Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2026: Buildings for the Future and delivered a keynote speech on the development trends, technological pathways and core features of future buildings. The report clearly identifies three major development directions for future buildings: green and low-carbon, digital and intelligent, and inclusive and shared. It calls for the launch of a “Global Initiative for Future Buildings” to foster international consensus and support the low-carbon transformation of the global construction industry. The initiative signifies that China’s practical exploration and cutting-edge thinking in sustainable construction are becoming a vital driving force for the development of global building codes and standards. Sharing Local Practices: China’s Experience Contributing to Global South SolutionsIn addition to research outputs, the UN-Habitat China Office released three case studies at WUF13, showcasing integrated approaches that link China’s domestic experience with international cooperation priorities in rural revitalization, resettlement communities, and informal settlement upgrading.Integrated Rural Revitalization: Jingxia Village, Guangzhou
This case systematically documents innovative approaches to urban–rural integration in Jingxia Village, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, offering a replicable model for narrowing the urban–rural development gap.People-Centered Urban Transition: Pingxi Resettlement Community, Guangzhou
Focusing on communities developed in connection with the Guangzhou airport expansion project, this case highlights people-centered planning principles and implementation practices, offering valuable lessons for countries in the Global South facing large-scale infrastructure-driven resettlement challenges.Informal Settlement Governance in Preah Sihanouk Province (Technical Report)
Jointly developed by the UN-Habitat China Office and the Wuhan Planning & Design Institute (Wuhan Transportation Development Strategy Institute), this report adapts Chinese urban development and governance experience to the Southeast Asian context, exploring practical pathways for cross-border knowledge transfer in informal settlement upgrading.The collective release of these three cases demonstrates a systematic effort to translate local urban practices into international public goods, marking a concrete step forward in strengthening South–South cooperation on sustainable urban development. Advancing the Future Cities Dialogue MechanismIn his remarks, Roi Chiti, Human Settlements Officer at the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized that housing is no longer solely a matter of shelter, but a multidimensional global challenge closely linked to climate resilience, social equity, and human security. He noted that innovation-driven and open cooperation are essential to scaling up effective solutions and transforming national experiences into global public goods that benefit cities and communities worldwide.Aline Matta, Head of the UN Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC), commended China’s experience, highlighting its strong portfolio of replicable achievements in smart construction, digital governance, and urban regeneration. She called for strengthened global collaboration in knowledge sharing and capacity building to better align international expertise with local urban needs.The event was chaired by YING Sheng, Country Manager of the UN-Habitat China Office. ZHANG Zhenshan, Senior Advisor to the UN-Habitat China Office, delivered the closing remarks, reaffirming the Office’s commitment to advancing the Future Cities Dialogue Mechanism. Building on the CFCC platform, the mechanism will further connect cities, technology companies, research institutions, and international organizations, deepening cooperation in housing, climate action, and digital innovation.These efforts will contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda, while supporting the creation of more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities for all.

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13 May 2026

UN in China and NDRC Conclude High Level Seminar on China’s 15th Five Year Plan

Five-Year Plans have long played a central role in guiding China’s meteoric development rise, reflecting strong strategic continuity, broad public participation, and a people‑centred development philosophy.To understand China’s new 15th Five-Year Plan more deeply and to identify possible new lines of support, the United Nations (UN) in China and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China jointly concluded a High-Level Seminar in Beijing on 12–13 May 2026. The two-day seminar brought together around 100 senior officials from relevant government ministries, representatives of UN entities in China, and international financial institutions to exchange views on China’s development priorities under the 15th Five-Year Plan and to explore pathways for deeper cooperation between the UN and China in the next five years.A relevant department of NDRC emphasized that the 15th Five-Year Plan marks a critical stage in China’s modernization process and highlighted the importance of working hand in hand with the UN, strengthening dialogue, mutual learning, and practical cooperation. By bringing together China’s development experience and the UN’s international perspectives, the two sides can jointly advance high‑quality, inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in China, highlighted that the seminar provided an important opportunity for the UN and international partners to gain deeper understanding of China’s development vision for the coming five years. He noted that China’s development achievements have been underpinned by sustained national commitment and disciplined implementation through successive Five-Year Plans, and emphasized that the 15th Five-Year Plan reflects both ambition and honesty in addressing remaining development challenges. He reaffirmed the UN’s readiness, through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030), to support China’s priorities, including social development, green and low‑carbon transition, coordinated regional development, and others. The seminar featured seven thematic discussions, generating active and substantive exchanges. Thematic Discussion I, The Process and Methods of Formulating China’s National Development Plans (Focusing on the 15th Five‑Year Plan), reviewed the evolution and key principles of China’s development planning, including strategic continuity, people‑centred development, and broad participation. Thematic Discussion II, Innovative Development and the National Venture Capital Guidance Fund, examined China’s innovation‑driven development practices and the role of long‑term and patient capital in fostering new quality productive forces. Thematic Discussion III, High‑Quality Belt and Road Cooperation, explored approaches to advancing mutually beneficial international cooperation and aligning development strategies with partner countries and international organizations. Thematic Discussion IV, Green and Low‑Carbon Development, focused on China’s policy framework and objectives for carbon peaking and neutrality, resource efficiency, circular economy development, and ecosystem protection. Thematic Discussion V, Social Development and Public Services, addressed education, health, population ageing, childcare and elderly care, and the protection of vulnerable groups, underscoring a people‑centred approach to modernization. Thematic Discussion VI, Coordinated Regional Development, examined regional development strategies aimed at promoting balanced growth, infrastructure connectivity, and more equitable access to basic public services. Thematic Discussion VII, Expand High‑Level Opening‑Up, reviewed China’s experience and future directions in trade, investment, and institutional opening‑up, emphasizing dialogue, mutual learning, and mutually beneficial cooperation.The seminar concluded with a shared recognition of the value of continued dialogue and practical cooperation between the UN and China. Participants noted that the exchanges over the two days helped to further clarify areas of convergence between the 15th Five-Year Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030), and to inform more concrete avenues for future collaboration. (Thanks to Beijing Chaoyang Development Corporation Ltd. and Zhaotai Group for their support for this UN in China event.)

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17 March 2026

Scaling Sustainable Aquaculture through Integrated Food Systems

16-17 March, Fuzhou China – Government representatives from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and China gathered in Fuzhou, China, from 16–17 March for the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP) Aquaculture Workshop. The event brought together the FSIP co-lead agencies, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), along with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat, The Nature Conservancy and private sector actors, including Olam Agri.Aquaculture reached a historic milestone in 2022, surpassing capture fisheries for the first time and accounting for 50.9 percent of global aquatic animal production. With global production reaching 130.9 million tonnes, aquaculture has become the fastest-growing food production system in the world. Aquatic foods provide 15 percent of the animal protein consumed globally and support the livelihoods of more than 22 million people. Despite this rapid growth, the sector faces interconnected challenges, including climate change impacts, environmental sustainability concerns, complex regulatory frameworks, limited access to finance, and constraints in accessing quality inputs and markets.Against this backdrop, and held alongside the First FAO–CFA Joint International Conference on Sustainable Aquaculture, the workshop creates an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and advance practical solutions for sustainable aquaculture development across regions.Strengthening partnerships and private sector engagementThe Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP) supports countries in strengthening sustainable food production systems as a pathway to improved food security, environmental sustainability and resilient rural livelihoods. Within the programme, IFAD plays a leading role in advancing private-sector engagement and market-driven solutions, linking small-scale producers with value chains, finance, and technology. This approach reflects IFAD’s long-standing experience in supporting inclusive rural development and building partnerships that enable smallholders and aquaculture producers to participate in growing markets.IFAD highlighted the importance of building stronger integration between producers, financial institutions, and private sector actors across aquaculture value chains. By facilitating partnerships and knowledge exchange, the FSIP aims to support countries in developing bankable investment opportunities that can attract private capital while ensuring environmental sustainability and inclusive growth.“Integration drives the alignment of all FSIP projects, enabling collaboration across governments, development partners, and the private sector to scale sustainable solutions," according to Michael von During, FSIP Technical Specialist at IFAD, “The ‘I’ in FSIP—Integration—drives the alignment of all 32 projects under this program so that its total impact is greater than the sum of its parts.” Private-sector engagement was highlighted as a critical driver in linking small-scale producers to value chains, finance, and technology.FAO plays a central role in providing technical expertise, policy guidance and global standards to support sustainable aquaculture development, including through the recently adopted FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture. FAO supports countries in strengthening governance frameworks, spatial planning, technical capacity and knowledge exchange to ensure that aquaculture growth is environmentally responsible and aligned with broader food systems transformation.“Aquaculture has significant potential to contribute to sustainable food systems transformation, but realizing that potential requires coordinated action across governments, development partners and the private sector,” said Hernan Gonzalez, FSIP Coordinator at FAO. He also noted that the new global guidelines provide countries with a framework for responsible sector development while strengthening food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem health. Country perspectivesChina, the world’s largest aquaculture producer, shared lessons from its experience in expanding production while improving sustainability and technological innovation. Other countries, including India and South Africa, also presented their experiences with addressing governance, feed and seed challenges to support collaborative learning.Participants also shared experiences in sustainable production practices and technological innovation. Field visits to aquaculture operations in Ningde, Fujian Province, demonstrated offshore farming and seaweed production, emphasizing the importance of investment, technology adoption, and knowledge exchange.Yinghao Xue from the Rural Energy and Environment Agency, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), announced that the GEF-8 FSIP China project “Ecological and Low-Carbon Food Systems”, jointly implemented by MARA and FAO, will be officially initiated this year. The project aims to transform agrifood systems in China through low-carbon, climate-resilient, and environmentally friendly production practices, including sustainable aquaculture, which will contribute to the global agrifood system transformation.Peter Umunay from the Global Environment Facility Secretariat noted that the Food Systems Integrated Program provides an important platform for countries and partners to exchange knowledge and accelerate solutions that support sustainable food systems.Emerging priorities for collaborationParticipants identified three interconnected priority areas for future cooperation under the Food Systems Integrated Program: First, strengthening and activating the aquaculture Community of Practice is essential for driving collaboration. People are the heart of the food systems transformation and sustained progress depends on active engagement, knowledge exchange and collective identification of priorities focus for advancing a sustainable aquaculture sector across countries. Second, deeper synergies and cooperation across programs and countries are needed to maximize impact. Aligning the FSIP with related initiatives can strengthen international cooperation and support coordinated efforts toward sustainable aquaculture and broader food system transformation.Third, investing in and strengthening aquaculture value chains is critical to scaling sustainable solutions. Promoting innovative financing and building partnerships with the private sector will help scale sustainable aquaculture practices, technologies, and market opportunities.With global aquatic production expected to reach 205 million tonnes by 2032, FSIP’s integrated approach, linking private-sector engagement, smallholder inclusion, and resilient food systems, offers a pathway to sustainable and inclusive growth in aquaculture worldwide. Media Contacts:Nevena Bakalar, Knowledge Management and Partnerships, Food Systems Integration Program (FSIP), IFADBojana Milovanovic, Communications Officer, Food Systems Integration Program (FSIP), FAO

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17 January 2026

UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council Meeting 2026 Convenes in Jinhua, Zhejiang

On January 17, the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council (CFCC) Meeting 2026, themed "Artificial Intelligence and Cities," was grandly convened in Jinhua, Zhejiang. The meeting aimed to delve into cutting-edge topics and practical pathways for AI-driven urban sustainable development. It attracted nearly 150 distinguished guests from UN-Habitat, municipal governments, academia, technology enterprises, and media, to shape a shared vision for tomorrow's cities.The meeting centered on in-depth discussions aimed at leveraging digital technology to advance urban sustainable development. Participants universally agreed that Artificial Intelligence is integrating into urban governance, economy, society, and ecology with unprecedented depth and breadth, injecting powerful technological momentum into the global achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Opening and Exhibition: Building Consensus, Envisioning the Future
The meeting kicked off with guests immersed in the CFCC Annual Achievements Exhibition, where they explored the flagship report Future Cities Advisory Outlook (FCAO) 2025: AI and Cities and examined innovative outcomes from city and enterprise cases in AI and sustainable city development. A compelling promotional video then showcased Jinhua’s dynamic journey as an ancient city embracing digital transformation and future-ready development. The opening segment concluded with a congratulatory video message from Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, commending the insights presented in the report. In his opening remarks, Bruno Dercon, Senior Human Settlements Officer, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, congratulated the meeting. He emphasized that addressing urbanization challenges in the Asia-Pacific region requires building a responsible and inclusive AI governance framework to ensure technology truly serves sustainable development. He affirmed that this meeting and the FCAO 2025 provide crucial guidance in this regard, stressing that people-centered and ethical AI application is the right direction for urban transformation.
Zhang Zhenshan, Senior Advisor, UN-Habitat China Office, reviewed the history of CFCC's cooperation with Chinese cities and enterprises. He highlighted that the latest CFCC report, FCAO2025 centered on "AI and Cities," summarizes the pathway for Chinese cities' smart transition towards "optimization of existing urban stock," offering a Chinese approach to global urbanization.Wang Shi, Chair of CFCC and Chairman of Vanke Foundation, drew on his practical experience to share his vision for urban development. He emphasized that cities should function as sustainable living organisms, calling for focused efforts in areas such as AI governance and zero‑carbon community building. These initiatives, he noted, aim to provide replicable Chinese solutions to support urban transformation worldwide. Li Binfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the Jinhua Municipal Committee of the CPC and Director of the Publicity Department, introduced Jinhua as an economically dynamic and culturally rich city in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta. He highlighted Jinhua’s dedication to integrating AI into urban governance and new industrialization, with the goal of building a distinctive, people-centered smart city driven by digital innovation.
Academician Forum: Sharing Frontier Insights and Guiding Future Development
During the Academician Forum, Wang Jian — Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Director of Zhejiang Lab, Founder of Alibaba Cloud, and Initiator of the Shanghai Haina Academy of Engineering — highlighted data as a new form of natural resource in the digital age. He emphasized that in addressing urban resource consumption challenges, artificial intelligence offers a vital pathway to optimize allocation and advance toward the sustainable vision of “using fewer resources to create a better life.”Zheng Qinghua, Academician of CAE, and Secretary of the Party Committee of Tongji University emphasized that artificial intelligence is emerging as a “new quality productive force” driving social transformation—a milestone in human civilization comparable to the advent of language, writing, and printing. He stressed that building people‑centered future cities requires addressing the governance challenges posed by AI while guiding its evolution toward a form of behavioral intelligence in which “knowledge and action are truly integrated.”Wu Zhiqiang，Academician of CAE, and Professor of Tongji University observed that while technology defines an era, it is values that truly reshape it. Against the backdrop of technological advancement continuously transforming cities, he outlined three core dimensions of intelligent urban development: enabling urban systems to effectively perceive, learn, and facilitate multi-stakeholder decision-making, thereby paving the way toward a smarter future of governance.Report Launch: Shared Wisdom Charting the Future
The meeting featured the launch of two pivotal reports. Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2025: AI and Cities was presented by the UN‑Habitat China Office, along with the report’s report writing expert group, CFCC Chair, and representative of the Vice Chair. The report addresses a timely question: where will artificial intelligence lead our cities, and how can it be harnessed to advance urban sustainability? To this, the report provides a clear answer: to create a better life with fewer resources. Secondly, it presents for the first time a panoramic technology map of “AI + Cities,” offering an important reference for cities worldwide to bridge the technological gap between AI applications and sustainable development goals. Third, it puts forward for the first time a roadmap for “AI + Cities,” spanning value alignment, data infrastructure, scenario-driven applications, and emergent intelligence. Covering different stages of development, this roadmap provides cities with actionable, practical pathways for implementation.Also unveiled was the report Beijing Future Science City Sustainable Development Practice: Innovations and Achievements, co‑developed by UN‑Habitat, Beijing Future Science City, and Beijing Yudao Shifang. The study delves into 15 years of practice across seven key domains—from sustainable planning to green infrastructure—capturing milestone achievements in green, low‑carbon development and the cultivation of a vibrant innovation landscape. Together, these contributions offer a structured “Beijing Approach” to sustainable urban development worldwide. Ying Sheng, Country Manager, UN-Habitat China Office, reviewed the CFCC's achievements over the past year and unveiled its strategic priorities for 2026. In response to pressing global housing and climate challenges, the CFCC has designated "Buildings for the Future" as its core thematic focus for 2026. It will also commence the compilation of the Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2026, thereby contributing insights from China to the global pursuit of sustainable urban development.The high-level roundtable forums in the afternoon centered on three key themes — "Future Jinhua," "Future Technology," and "Sustainable Future" — prompting multidimensional dialogue and idea exchange.Wrap-up: Harnessing Collective Intelligence, Shaping Sustainable Cities Together
This meeting brought together practical insights and innovative energy in the fields of AI and sustainable urban development in China. The discussions reaffirmed that digital technologies, with AI at the forefront, are key enablers for achieving the SDGs and creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements. From Jinhua’s local experiments to diverse urban initiatives, and from corporate innovation to academic research, the integration of technological empowerment and human‑centered values offers actionable pathways to tackle global challenges in housing, climate change, and urban governance. Building on this gathering, the CFCC will continue to drive the transition of cities worldwide toward greener, smarter, and more equitable futures—through knowledge exchange, practice‑based advocacy, and cross‑sector cooperation—actively supporting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and contributing tangible momentum to our shared future.

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Press Release

22 October 2026

Multilateralism delivers for people and planet – the UN in China celebrates United Nations Day 2026

These were some of the sentiments powerfully expressed as the United Nations in China commemorated United Nations Day today at the UN Compound in Beijing, bringing together around 200 government officials, diplomats, representatives of the United Nations system, academia, civil society, development partners and the private sector to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and sustainable development. The event was supported by media partner Yicai Media Group and supporting partner SIHOO. Caption: Guests gather at the United Nations Day 2026 celebration in Beijing.Observed annually on 24 October, United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. This year’s celebration took place at a pivotal moment, as China enters the implementation period of its Fifteenth Five-Year Plan and the international community advances toward the final years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event highlighted the enduring importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared global challenges, from inequality and climate change to technological transformation and sustainable development.A video message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres opened the celebration, underscoring the continued relevance of international solidarity and collective action in a rapidly changing world. Caption: Video message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.The event welcomed senior representatives from the Government of China, including H.E. Cai Wei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. In his remarks, Assistant Minister Cai reaffirmed China’s support for the United Nations and multilateral cooperation. Caption: Cai Wei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.Delivering the United Nations address, Dr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, reflected on his experience witnessing the first COVAX vaccine deliveries in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the initiative as a powerful example of multilateralism in action. He emphasized that cooperation remains indispensable in addressing today’s interconnected challenges, including climate change, demographic shifts, inequality and the rapid development of artificial intelligence.Dr. Jackson outlined three priorities that will guide the UN’s work in China over the coming years: supporting inclusive development in China for China, facilitating development cooperation and knowledge-sharing with the Global South from China and strengthening multilateralism through global partnership and dialogue. Caption: Dr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.A special “Voices of Impact” segment showcased firsthand accounts of how United Nations partnerships are generating tangible results across these priorities.Representing “In China, For China”, a young Special Olympics athlete with autism shared how inclusive sports programmes supported by the United Nations Theme Group on Disability and partners have expanded opportunities for young persons with disabilities. Speaking about his personal journey, he described how participation in sports has strengthened his confidence, social connections and sense of belonging, demonstrating the importance of ensuring that development benefits everyone.Representing “From China for the Global South”, Zhang Changfeng, Deputy Mayor of Sanya, highlighted how South-South cooperation is helping agricultural knowledge travel across borders. Through examples from FAO-supported cooperation programmes linking China with countries such as Sri Lanka and Malawi, he illustrated how locally adapted solutions and farmer-to-farmer learning are improving livelihoods and strengthening food security.Representing “From China for Multilateralism”, Prof. Shao Yilei of East China Normal University reflected on discussions from the United Nations AI and Human Development Convening held in Xi’an. She emphasized that ensuring equitable access to the benefits of artificial intelligence requires international cooperation on language, data, governance and capacity-building, particularly for developing countries and underrepresented communities. Caption: Speakers participate in the Voices of Impact segment during UN Day 2026.The celebration also featured a special preview of “The Yunnan Model”, a documentary produced by the United Nations in China and inspired by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to Yunnan Province earlier this year. The documentary explores local approaches to sustainable development and their contribution to global discussions on environmental protection and human well-being. Caption: Trailor of the documentary The Yunnan Model featured at the event. Caption: The UN Day 2026 Celebration was moderated by CGTN host Tian Wei.As the world enters the final stretch toward 2030, United Nations Day 2026 served as a reminder that the most pressing challenges facing humanity cannot be solved by any nation alone. The celebration reaffirmed a shared commitment to reinvigorated multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre, delivering solutions that are inclusive, sustainable and responsive to the needs of present and future generations.

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Press Release

21 August 2026

UN Convenes Thought Leaders in Asia to Shape the Future of AI and Human Development

Xi'an, China, 21 August 2026 — The United Nations brought together global thought leaders, policymakers, technologists, academics and cultural leaders in Xi'an, China, on 20–21 August for the third convening in a global dialogue series examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping human civilization and human development.The gathering is convened under the leadership of United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, in collaboration with the Government of China and the United Nations Secretariat and builds on previous dialogues held in Cairo and Mexico City. “We have heard voices on AI from across Africa and Latin America, and now we bring Asia’s histories, experiences and values into a global conversation,” said Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.Hosted in Xi'an, one of the great crossroads of human civilization and the historic starting point of the Silk Road, participants explored how advances in embodied AI and robotics are transforming the relationship between humans and machines and raising new questions about society, learning, culture and the future of development.“The discussions in Cairo and Mexico City also warned us against romanticising ‘humanity’. More human input to AI systems will not automatically produce more humane technology,” the Deputy Secretary-General stressed.As artificial intelligence increasingly moves beyond screens and into the physical world through robotics and other embodied systems, participants reflected on the implications for education, human relationships, trust, creativity and community life. Discussions also examined how technological innovation can remain grounded in human dignity, cultural diversity and shared values.The gathering provided space for open and forward-looking exchanges on both the opportunities and challenges presented by the next generation of AI technologies, and on how emerging innovations can advance human development while remaining anchored in shared values and human dignity. AI and Human Development SeriesThe AI and Human Development convenings are part of a global conversation that will move from region to region and culminate at the United Nations, our global town hall, during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Hosted in locations of historical and cultural significance, the series creates space for reflection on how technological change intersects with the evolution of societies, institutions, human values and relationships.The Xi'an convening spotlighted the frontier of embodied AI and robotics, examining how intelligent systems that increasingly act in the physical world may affect education, work, culture and sustainable development. Participants explored how advances in AI can contribute to human flourishing while safeguarding human agency, trust and social cohesion.The series builds on the Secretary-General's Global Dialogue on AI Governance and will inform key global processes leading to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, including discussions related to the Pact for the Future, the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, and broader efforts to strengthen international cooperation on AI governance.Following convenings in Cairo, Mexico City and Xi'an, the series will continue in Rome before culminating in New York during UNGA81. In 2027, the initiative will expand to support country-led, community-based dialogues worldwide in the lead-up to the SDG Summit. About the UN Office for PartnershipsAs the global gateway to the United Nations, the UN Office for Partnerships convenes and co-creates essential partnerships and programmes, as well as manages catalytic funding to accelerate solutions to keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals. Media ContactFrancyne Harrigan, UN Office for Partnerships | E: harriganf@un.org | M: +1 917 209 6320Peiling Gan, Resident Coordinator Office, Beijing, China | E: peiling.gan@un.org

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Press Release

28 April 2026

2026 Sustainable Procurement & ESG Workshop | Empowering SMEs and Women-Owned Businesses to Connect with International Sustainable Development

Co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Ningbo Committee, the workshop brought together UN entities, government partners, academic institutions, industry associations and enterprises to help local businesses better understand sustainable procurement, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements and international public procurement opportunities. The event was supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges of the Ministry of Commerce, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products, and CCPIT Cixi. Representatives from the UN Global Compact, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, and the global humanitarian aid and development expo in Geneva (AidEx), and the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Ningbo also attended. The workshop attracted around 300 Chinese and international participants, including representatives from more than 150 companies.
Focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable procurement and emerging procurement trends, the event aimed to connect local enterprises with global sustainability standards. It injected new momentum into helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-owned businesses in Ningbo and the Yangtze River Delta integrate deeper into the global sustainable development system. Opening Remarks
In the opening remarks, Xu Xiaochang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government, noted that Ningbo has a strong industrial and trade foundation, with more than 11,000 industrial enterprises and more than 30,000 foreign trade enterprises. More than 550 companies in the city have registered as UN suppliers, covering sectors such as medical devices, photovoltaics, building materials, and stationery. He said this has strongly supported Ningbo’s SMEs and women-owned businesses in aligning with international sustainable development standards. In his video remarks, James George, Resident Representative ad interim of UNDP China, noted that ESG principles are not only a compliance exercise, but a strategic necessity. He encouraged SMEs and women-owned businesses to integrate ESG and sustainable production practices into their operations, positioning themselves as partners in global progress and contributors in building a greener, more inclusive future for everyone, everywhere. In her remarks, Ai Yinfang, Deputy Director General of CICETE of the Ministry of Commerce, said that enterprises’ participation in UN procurement offers a concrete example of how Chinese manufacturing services can become more deeply integrated into the international public service system, while also contributing to the implementation of the Global Development Initiative.  Zhou Hui, President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products, and Li Yingzhong, Vice Mayor of Cixi, also delivered opening remarks.
Technical Presentations
Senthil Kumar, Senior Procurement Manager for the UNOPS Asia and the Pacific Region, outlined UNOPS’ regional procurement priorities. He encouraged local SMEs and women-owned businesses to proactively connect with international sustainable development standards, strengthen their capacity, pay closer attention to areas such as renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, and integrate more deeply into the UN sustainable procurement system. Yerden Suttenov, Procurement Officer at the UNDP Kazakhstan Country Office, shared key examples of sustainable development projects in the region, covering climate change, inclusive economy, digital transformation, and other areas. He also emphasized future procurement trends and core procurement principles. Ling Yun, Procurement Officer in the Supply Management Service at UNHCR Headquarters, introduced UNHCR’s approach to building a greener and more sustainable supply chain.
Liu Ben and Li Lekana from the UN Global Compact China Liaison Office shared practical cases on how “Empowering Enterprises Enhance International Competitiveness through ESG Value”.
Additional insights were shared by Song Huimin, Director of the Global Case Centre at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China; Nicholas Rutherford and Iska Meyer-Wendecker from AidEx; and Zhou Fang, Vice President of the Ningbo Women Entrepreneurs Association. Together, their presentations offered practical guidance for SMEs and women-owned businesses seeking to align with international sustainable development and procurement standards. Q&A and Exchange Session
The Q&A and exchange session were practical and engaging. Representatives from UNDP, UNOPS, UNHCR, the UN Global Compact, and AidEx, set up consultation tables to address questions from participating companies face to face.
  Medical Products Session
In the afternoon, a dedicated salon on UN Procurement and International Public Procurement Capacity-Building Salon for Health Products brought UNOPS teams together with experts from UN agencies, industry chambers, and tendering and procurement sector for direct exchanges with participating companies.
Discussions covered UN procurement processes for medical devices and related products, current procurement needs, preparation of qualification documents and practical challenges faced by suppliers. This session helped companies move beyond general awareness of procurement rules toward more concrete bidding preparation and reflected UNOPS’ emphasis on practical, supplier-based capacity building.
  By combining policy guidance, technical exchanges and practical sector-specific support, the Sustainable Procurement and ESG Workshop helped create new channels for SMEs and women-owned businesses in Ningbo and the Yangtze River Delta to engage with international sustainable development frameworks and global public procurement opportunities. The workshop marked a further step in supporting more inclusive, sustainable and internationally connected local enterprise development.

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Press Release

01 April 2026

Secretary-General appoints Stephen Jackson of Ireland as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Stephen Jackson of Ireland as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, with the host Government’s approval. He takes up his post today, 1 April. Mr. Jackson brings more than 30 years of experience in international development, peacebuilding and humanitarian affairs to the position, with a strong record of leading UN country teams and driving strategic engagement with host Governments to advance national development priorities. He most recently served as Resident Coordinator in Kenya, where he mobilised United Nations system-wide support for national agendas, and guided the organization’s strategic planning and coordination efforts. This followed his assignment as Resident Coordinator in Gabon and several leadership positions at the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and with United Nations Peacekeeping. Within DPA, Mr. Jackson served as Chief of Policy Planning and Guidance, headed the Secretariat to the High-Level Review of United Nations Peacebuilding in 2015, worked as Team Leader of the Mediation Support Unit, was Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB), led both the Policy Planning Unit and the Africa Great Lakes Team, and served as Special Adviser to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes. With United Nations Peacekeeping, he was a Senior Political Adviser with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Jackson was Deputy Director of the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum (CPPF) at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in New York, Director of the International Famine Centre and Lecturer in Sociology at the National University of Ireland in Cork. Earlier in his career, he worked in humanitarian relief and development in Angola, Rwanda and Somalia. He holds a doctorate in cultural anthropology and a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University in the United States, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.

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Press Release

27 January 2026

UN and China Launch New Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030)

Jiang Chenghua, Deputy China International Trade Representative of MOFCOM, highlighted that over the past five years, China and UN agencies worked together to overcome significant global and regional challenges, ensuring the effective implementation of the previous UNSDCF. He noted that both sides have jointly identified priority areas for the new cycle and reached consensus on a clear roadmap for future collaboration. Jiang expressed hope that the UN and China will fully implement the new Framework, advance practical cooperation aligned with the 15th Five–Year Plan support Chinese modernization, share China’s development experience, and contribute to the common progress of Global South countries.“Today’s meeting is a milestone that reflects our shared commitment to accelerating the ‘last mile’ of the SDGs. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Chinese government and to all UN agencies for the collective efforts that brought us to this moment. Building on the achievements of the previous cycle, this new Framework aligns closely with China’s 15th Five–Year Plan,” said Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China. He underscored that the UN Country Team stands ready to continue working closely with China to uphold multilateralism, strengthen cooperation under the new UNSDCF, deepen South-South cooperation, and jointly advance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The meeting brought together representatives from 18 UN agencies and 21 Chinese government ministries and institutions. Both sides exchanged views on the UNSDCF’s priority areas, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities.As the highest governing body for UNSDCF implementation in China, the JSC will continue to provide strategic direction and oversight to ensure impactful, coherent, and innovative cooperation during the 2026–2030 cycle.

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