Building Smart City in a Changing World & Release of 2024 League of Arab States (LAS) Smart City Ranking

Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Government of Beijing Municipality, and Peking University for the invitation to speak at this event. 

With only six years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we remain far off track, with only 17% on track, more than a third having stalled or regressed, and the remaining targets seeing insufficient progress. The challenges we face—rising inequality, persistent poverty, climate change, and ecological degradation—are urgent and complex, demanding immediate and collective actions.

Cities and urban areas are hubs of technological innovation and, with the recent trend of rural to urban migration, over 60% of the global population resides in these areas, accounting for over 80% of global economic output. 

The 2030 Agenda recognizes the important role of cities and urban areas, with Goal 11 of the SDGs focusing on sustainable cities and communities and including critical development targets to address chronic urban challenges such as transportation, energy consumption, air pollution, green spaces, and sprawl, among others.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, "Cities are engines of economic growth and innovation that hold the key to achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. They are also on the frontlines of today’s complex challenges, from the climate crisis to growing inequalities and political polarization." 

Smart cities are emerging as a powerful concept in this context. They use technology and innovation to improve urban environments, protect the environment, enhance quality of life, foster prosperity, and engage citizens.

Smart cities are inclusive cities. They are sustainable, using resources efficiently to minimize waste and maximize benefits. They are also adaptable, capable of mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change through sustainable mobility systems and increased resilience. However, smart cities must avoid falling into the "technocracy trap" and remain focused on their overarching goals of enhancing human welfare.

President Xi Jinping said, "major cities can become 'smarter' by using big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies to modernize urban governance."

China has made significant strides in developing smart cities by integrating advanced technologies including smart traffic management, energy optimization, and improved urban planning tools. These technologies allow cities to better predict climate patterns, enhance disaster preparedness, streamline waste management, and increase the efficiency of renewable energy sources.

The UN in China actively supports smart city development across the country. For example, in collaboration with NIO, a leading smart electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, the UN is promoting ecological sustainability and nature conservation within the electric vehicle sector. 

In 2023, the UN's comprehensive analysis of the automotive industry's impact on biodiversity laid the groundwork for sustainable practices and encouraged investments in nature and climate initiatives.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

International cooperation is crucial for achieving the SDGs. The Beijing Declaration of 2024 between China and Arab states is one such example fostering South-South cooperation, with a focus on innovation, connectivity, and promoting sustainable urban development, all of which will support our collective ability to reach the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda.

Despite the challenge we face, I remain optimistic about the future of our cities and the opportunities that they present for innovation and growth. Smart cities offer a transformative pathway to address urban challenges and improve residents’ quality of life. 

The UN in China remains committed to acting as a connector and convenor between China and other countries, offering its expertise and knowledge to ensure effective cooperation in technology and innovation to achieve the SDGs. 

Together, we can build inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban environments that meet the needs of both our people and our planet.

Finally let me end by wishing you all on behalf of the United Nations family in China the very best for a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.

In these times of global division and strife, may this luminous moon bring peace, harmony, and prosperity to all. 

Let this special celebration remind us of our shared humanity and the bond that unites us.

Thank you.