UN-Habitat host the China Future Cities Council Meeting 2024

Shaoxing, China, 20 March 2024 - UN-Habitat convened a significant two-day meeting on March 20 and 21, gathering over 120 delegates from city governments, enterprises, academic institutions, and media outlets. Hosted in the vibrant Keqiao District of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the event showcased the collaborative efforts towards advancing sustainable urban development.

The meeting was held under the support of local companies in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City. Shaoxing City, a recipient of the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2008, served as an apt backdrop for this gathering of forward-thinking minds.

In his opening remarks, Bruno Dercon, Officer-in-Charge of UN-Habitat ROAP, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the significance of the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council (CFCC) as a pivotal platform bridging private sectors and UN-Habitat's mission. He underscored the importance of smart cities as a focal point of UN-Habitat's endeavours in collaboration with Member States.

Mr. Zhang Zhenshan, UN-Habitat Habitat Programme Manager for China, recognized the work of the CFCC over the past four years and expressed his gratitude to the members and partners of CFCC, in particular, Vanke Foundation, Xinchao Media Group and iSoftStone Smart Technology Co., Ltd for their generous support.

Mr. Chen Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC's Keqiao District Committee of Shaoxing City, emphasized the important role of cities in promoting high-quality development. He called for the collaboration of academics, experts, and private sectors to explore digital transformation and smart city development for the future sustainable development of Keqiao District.

Mr. Wang Shi, the new chair of CFCC and Chairman of the Vanke Foundation, shared insights gleaned from his extensive experience in sustainable urban development. He articulated his vision for an urban future characterized by sustainability and innovation, aligning with CFCC's objectives.

Highlighting the pivotal role of digital solutions in driving green transformation, Mr. Chen Jun, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with other local entrepreneurs, showcased innovative applications enhancing sustainable urban development.

Reflecting on CFCC's achievements in 2023, Mr. Ying Sheng, National Officer of the UN-Habitat China Office, provided an overview of the council's activities and the flagship report, "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2023 (FCAO 2023): Digital Innovations Empower Urban Net Zero Carbon Transition". Representatives from city governments and tech companies shared impactful case studies featured in the FCAO 2023 report.

The Roundtable Dialogues, centred around themes of "Future Cities", "Future Technologies", and "Sustainable Urban Future", facilitated robust discussions among experts spanning urban planning, energy, transportation, waste management, environmental sustainability, and digital technologies.

Following the main forum, the Kick-Off Meeting of "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2024: Digital Urban Governance" marked a significant milestone for CFCC 2024. Experts from esteemed institutions such as Shanghai Jiaotong University, CAICT, and Ant Group offered preliminary insights into the forthcoming flagship report. Professionals from ISSTech Corp, CityDO Group, and the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute contributed valuable perspectives to the report's outline.

Anticipation surrounds the release of the fourth Future Cities Advisory Outlook report, slated to debut by the end of 2024 during the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12). This eagerly awaited publication promises to offer invaluable insights into digital urban governance, shaping the trajectory of sustainable urban development globally.