The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Smart Mobility Forum - CIIE 2023

H.E. Mr. Zhang Xiong, Deputy Secretary-General of Shanghai Municipal People's Government,

Ms. Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director-General of UNIDO,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

I am pleased to join you at today’s special occasion, and I would like to thank the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Network, the China International Import Expo Bureau, and China News for co-hosting this forum.

Green investment and technology are critical for accelerating sustainable development and ensuring that we protect the planet. This aspiration is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNIDO has long been promoting industrialization and advocating for more environmentally friendly practices. 

UNIDO’s experience and expertise in the realm of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially in the field of transportation, is the key to unlocking economic growth, fostering social development, and reducing inequalities by connecting people and places. Yet, transportation, including road, aviation, maritime and rail, accounts for 20% of global carbon emissions. The automotive industry plays a pivotal role in this larger framework of climate action since it is both a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a vital part of the solution. The choices we make in the realm of transportation have a direct impact on our environment, our economies, and our quality of life.

We are already experiencing the early effects of the climate crisis, and it is imperative that we seek avenues to transition to green, low-carbon technologies in order to reduce emissions to place us on a path that limits global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. The forum's focus on the green transformation in the transportation sector could not be more timely, given this month's COP28 summit in Dubai and the urgent need to reduce emissions across the sector. 

In his remarks at the 13th Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Renewable energy is the only credible path forward if the world is to avert a climate catastrophe. Only renewables can safeguard our future, close the energy access gap, stabilize prices, and ensure energy security.”

Ladies and gentlemen,

China’s advances in adopting renewable energy sources and technological innovation can help create the conditions for a rapid transition towards a greener, low-carbon transportation sector. Here, China has taken action on its path to achieve its dual goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. To add to its progress, China can still do more to achieve these goals ahead of schedule and lead the transition to a low-carbon future by more rapidly phasing out its coal-fired power plants and transitioning to green and renewable energy sources. During my time as UN Resident Coordinator in China, I have seen the tremendous strides this nation has made towards sustainability and inclusive growth, as witnessed in places such as the Kubuqi desert.However, more collaboration between the UN and China is imperative for progress on sustainable industrial development and the green transition. 

The UN family in China, including UNIDO, is committed to promoting the scaling up of best practices to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and net zero. The UNIDO Global Call, a flagship event aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of global climate change and promoting sustainable industrial development, is led this year by UNIDO ITPO Beijing, in collaboration with the entire UNIDO ITP network and other UN entities.  Today, we are pleased to recognize the outstanding sustainable technology providers gathered here.

Building off the successes of previous events, I noticed that this year’s Global Call stands out because of two key features: Our organizers offered empowerment training to enhance skills for shortlisted enterprises, especially for small and medium-sized companies in developing countries. In addition, they offered those enterprises a unique opportunity to showcase their technologies and innovations at the China International Import Expo, boosting their exposure and commercial opportunities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While we reflect on our past achievements, we must remain cognizant that our future path will ultimately be guided by the power of partnerships, collaboration, and the exchange of collective knowledge. The forum today serves as a platform to promote further cooperation and dialogue. It is also a call to action, urging us to be "first doers and movers" in the transition towards a greener, cleaner, and smarter future. Let us work together to make it and the SDGs a reality.

Thank you, I wish this forum a great success.