UNIDO invited to address the 2024 Zhongguan Village Forum

On the afternoon of April 28, the "Innovation-Driven Green Development Forum," a parallel forum of the 2024 Zhongguan Village Forum Annual Conference, was held in Beijing. This event was organized by the Counselors' Office of the State Council and co-organized by the Counselors' Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government and the Guoke Science and Technology Innovation Investment Industry Alliance. Deputy Director General and Managing Director of UNIDO Zou Ciyong was invited to deliver a video speech.

邹

Zou Ciyong mentioned that climate change is a defining crisis of our time. From extreme weather changes and rising sea levels to increasingly severe threats to food security, as well as global economic and social upheaval, we are facing the challenges posed by these serious consequences.

He pointed out that the Paris Agreement fully recognizes that innovation is a key element in effectively addressing climate change in the long term and promoting socio-economic development. We should place high importance on the significance of policy, technology, financing, and global cooperation innovation. Innovative climate policies can stimulate technological innovation. Governments around the world are promoting the transition to green development through comprehensive policies, including emission trading schemes, market transformation incentives, and research and development subsidies. Climate policies have promoted green innovation and application and increased the number of green patent applications.

"However, there remains a significant investment gap in the development and application of clean technology," Zou Ciyong stated. While investment in clean technology and innovation grew by 17% in 2023, there is still a $3 trillion annual funding gap to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Investment in mainstream technologies such as electric vehicles and battery storage must also double. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to access affordable financing solutions, which are essential for the development of technology and innovation. This necessitates the creation of new financing solutions or the facilitation of investment opportunities."

Zou Ciyong stated that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization is doing everything in its power to promote innovative green development. Multilateralism, as well as regional and global efforts, are crucial, and today's forum itself proves that we rely on openness and cooperation across different levels and participants. At this forum, Director of the State Council Counselor’s Office Gao Yu, Beijing Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee Member and Secretary of the Education Working Committee Yu Yingjie delivered speeches. State Council Counselor, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Peking University Professor Zhu Tong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University Professor Mei Hong, former Japanese Vice-Minister of the Environment and Advisor to Nippon Steel Corporation Norihiro Nakai, and Director of the Global Climate Center of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business Phoebe Koundouri delivered keynote speeches. Deputy Director of the State Council Counselor’s Office Zheng Hongying attended the forum, while Deputy Director of the State Council Counselor’s Office Xu Chang attended and presided over the opening ceremony and keynote speeches.