Weihai Exquisite City Forum

H.E. Mr. Fan Bo, Vice Governor of Shandong Provincial People’s Government,

H.E. Mr. Siyabonga Cwele, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to China

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Weihai Municipal People’s Government for inviting our joint delegation to attend the Weihai Exquisite City International Forum in celebration of the 20th anniversary of winning the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor and being a leader in sustainable urbanization.

As the Representative of the United Nations System in China, I lead and coordinate the United Nations System’s work on achieving the SDGs, including Goal 11, on Sustainable Cities and Urbanization. As our world rapidly urbanizes, it is vital that we embrace sustainable practices and foster cooperation at both the regional and global levels to ensure a prosperous and resilient future. I wish to commend my colleagues from UN-Habitat for the vital work they are doing to advance Sustainable Development Goal 11.

Urbanization has become a defining characteristic of our era, with more and more people moving to cities. While currently just over 56% of the world’s population lives in cities, this is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. While these shifts offer tremendous opportunities for economic development, innovation, and cultural exchange, they also present significant challenges, such as increased resource demands, environmental degradation, and social inequality. To address these challenges, we must prioritize sustainable urbanization.

Sustainable urbanization means finding a balance between economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. It involves building resilient, inclusive, equitable and environmentally friendly cities that provide quality education, healthcare, housing, and public services for all urban dwellers.

Beyond traditional bilateral cooperation we also must harness multi-stakeholder partnerships, bringing together governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and international organizations, to address these multifaceted challenges. We need to work together to ensure the equitable sharing of the benefits of sustainable urbanization both between and within nations, guaranteeing that no one is left behind.

The United Nations, as a catalyst for global cooperation, is committed to supporting sustainable urbanization efforts worldwide. Through its specialized agencies, programs, and funds, the UN provides technical assistance, capacity building, and policy guidance to member states, just as the UN has done since 1979 in China.

China’s rapid urbanization in recent decades and its commitment to a green and low-carbon model are commendable. China is a global leader in green technology, including solar and wind power, electric vehicles and lithium batteries,  recognizing the need for a green and low-carbon economy and society. China faces important challenges in making these ambitions a reality. China must fulfill its commitments of carbon neutrality and transition toward a less resource-intensive economic model to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and achieve sustainable production and consumption patterns.

We will need big data, technology and innovations to realize the pledge set forward by President Xi Jinping at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2020, for China to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

Reaching these goals requires substantial investment and partnerships with the private sector and other sectors of society. The UN in China is ready to provide expertise and technical assistance to support the policy and structural changes needed for China to achieve its climate and environmental objectives.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past decade, the UN in China has collaborated closely with Chinese partners on programs aimed at improving urban public spaces, developing green and low-carbon cities, fostering urban renewal, supporting sustainable urban planning and design, promoting healthy and child-friendly cities, and implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. For example, the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), comprising UNEP, UNDP, ILO, UNIDO, and UNITAR, has provided policy advice, capacity building, and analytical tools to support China's transition to an inclusive green economy. UN agencies, including UN-Habitat and WHO, have collaborated with the China National Development and Reform Commission to establish an Alliance that facilitates high-quality exchange and research outcomes for SDG achievement in cities and urban areas. These examples demonstrate our ongoing efforts to support China's sustainable urban development agenda, but more work remains to be done.

We must recognize the complexity of urban dynamics and highlight the importance urbanization can play in catalyzing our progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. A new narrative of sustainable urban development must become central to global policymaking if we hope to adequately respond to the pressing social and environmental challenges we face.

On this account, may I take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Weihai for its incredible potential. I am deeply impressed by its commitment to long-term development, green growth and social equity. It can serve as a model for other developing cities around the world.

In conclusion, the challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization demand collective action and unwavering commitment. Let us seize this moment to champion sustainable urbanization, advocate for South-South cooperation, and foster regional and global integration.

Together, we can build cities that are vibrant, prosperous, inclusive, and resilient. Let us work hand in hand to create a future where urbanization becomes a driving force for positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Thank you.