UN@80 Forum on Multilateralism and Sustainable Business Held in Shanghai

In his opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator in China Siddarth Chatterjee underscored the importance of multilateralism and collective action to address today’s global challenges. “On the 80th anniversary of the United Nations,” he said, “let us turn today’s dialogue into tomorrow’s solutions—revitalizing multilateralism, strengthening resilient supply chains, and building a sustainable future for all humanity.”

Jing Ying, First-Class Counsellor of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; President of Shanghai NGO Network for International Exchanges, highlighted that for eight decades the UN has upheld the banner of sustainable development, driving coordinated progress in the global economy and environment. “The UN’s 80-year journey shows that the power of multilateral cooperation comes from the synergy of diverse actors. It is not only high-level dialogue between governments but also joint action by businesses, social organizations, research institutions, and every individual citizen,” she noted.

Speaking on behalf of the Consuls General Club, Yolinda Chan Yok Yee, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, emphasized the far-reaching significance of the forum as a symbol of cross-sector and cross-regional collaboration. “Shanghai, as a global hub for innovation, trade, and connectivity, is the ideal place to commemorate the UN’s journey and envision shared prosperity. By bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia, we can cultivate practical partnerships, especially in digital information, climate-resilient trade, and sustainable investment, to empower global development,” she said.

The forum centered on three themes: Innovative Multilateral Mechanisms, Building Responsible Supply Chains, and Sustainable Business Transformation, creating a platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing across regions and development models.

The first roundtable gathered the Consuls General of Norway, Thailand, Poland, the Philippines, and Fiji to discuss “Addressing Shared Challenges: Member States’ Collective Contributions and Diverse Perspectives on the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future”. They stressed the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships, called for clear timelines to eradicate intergenerational poverty, and urged the adoption of concrete carbon-neutrality roadmaps to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The second roundtable, “Advancing the 2030 Agenda: Building Resilient and Responsible Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future”, featured representatives from GoodWe, Trina Solar, Dongpeng Holdings, the Huang Xiaoming Tomorrow’s Love Fund, and Jiangsu Guangxin Sensitizing Materials Co., Ltd. Participants explored the strategic and financial significance of sustainable supply chains, supplier selection standards and ESG requirements, robust ESG management systems and resilience mechanisms, as well as the latest local policy practices such as Shanghai’s green-low-carbon subsidies and ESG loans. Entrepreneurs highlighted how responsible investment and deep ESG integration are creating new growth drivers across industrial value chains.

The third roundtable, “Sustainable Business Transformation”,  brought together leaders from Noah Holdings, Simmons, and Shangdao Consulting. They shared trends in embedding green consumption and inclusive growth into corporate management, noting that forward-looking planning and innovative investment not only enhance corporate resilience but also drive broader social progress. Speakers observed that the green transition has moved beyond advocacy into a “deep-water zone”, requiring companies to integrate environmental concepts throughout the entire product life cycle rather than relying solely on end-of-pipe solutions. Inclusive growth, they added, demands breaking away from a purely profit-driven mindset, reallocating resources, and fostering ecosystem collaboration so that development benefits a wider range of stakeholders.

Closing the forum, Liu Meng, Head of the UN Global Compact China, emphasized that practical exchanges and cross-regional, cross-sector cooperation are bringing more diverse solutions and partnership opportunities to the multilateral governance system. “We need to join forces with the private sector, leveraging its networks, technology, talent, and innovation to help governments achieve our global goals,” she concluded.