UNIDO ITPO Shanghai Participate the 2025 Third Women in Shipping Forum Riding the Winds and Breaking the Waves • Cross-Border Symbiosis,"

On the afternoon of October 21, 2025, the "2025 Third Women in Shipping Forum," hosted by China Enterprise News Zhongqi Video and the Shanghai Hongkou District Federation of Industry and Commerce, was successfully held at the Talent Reception Hall of the Magnolia Plaza in Hongkou District, Shanghai. As an important concurrent event of the North Bund International Shipping Forum, this year's forum, under the theme "Riding the Winds and Breaking the Waves • Cross-Border Symbiosis," brought together outstanding female representatives from various fields such as shipping, technology, investment, and public welfare to jointly explore new paths for the high-quality development of the shipping industry and women's career growth. Zhao Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai, was invited to deliver a keynote speech. 

Zhou Ying, Second-Level Inspector of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, fully affirmed the important role and outstanding contributions of women in the development of the shipping industry in her opening remarks. She pointed out that against the current backdrop, the shipping industry is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges, providing a broad stage for women to showcase their talents. The unique resilience, meticulousness, inclusiveness, and empathy of women will become important forces in driving the digital, intelligent, and green transformation of the shipping industry. She expressed hope that the forum would further promote gender equality and diversified development, encourage more women to participate in key decision-making in the shipping industry, and jointly build a fairer, more open, and inclusive future for shipping. Finally, she encouraged women in shipping to continue riding the tide with the bold spirit of "riding the winds and breaking the waves" and the contemporary wisdom of "cross-border symbiosis," sailing toward an even more brilliant future.

Ulan Qiqige, Editor-in-Chief of Zhongqi Video and Director of the Women in Shipping Committee of the Shanghai International Shipping Center Development Promotion Association, stated in her address that the 2025 Third Women in Shipping Forum continues to focus on gender equality and women's leadership in the shipping sector, responding to the spirit of the Global Women's Summit and emphasizing that the modernization and globalization of the shipping industry are inseparable from women's wisdom and responsibility. "With their unique insight and resilience, women play an irreplaceable role in addressing supply chain resilience challenges and promoting digital transformation—whether in the construction of smart ports or the practice of low-carbon shipping, women are breaking boundaries with innovative thinking and connecting the globe."

Zhao Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai, delivered a keynote speech titled "Investing in She: Technological Innovation Drives Inclusive Growth in the Shipping Industry," explaining the strategic significance of integrating technology, capital, and women's power for industrial development from a global perspective.

During the keynote speech session, outstanding women in the maritime field shared their stories of breaking barriers. Professor Zhang Xingzhi, Chief Engineer, shared her story under the theme "Perseverance and Pursuit of the Stars and Oceans," recounting how she overcame the barrier of "waterborne majors not recruiting female students" and persisted for 23 years in the male-dominated field of ocean-going vessel engineering, eventually becoming one of China's first female chief engineers, spanning over half a century of maritime passion and career pursuit. Professor Bai Xiang'en of Shanghai Maritime University, also a captain, shared her extraordinary journey from being the first female navigation officer in China to traverse the Arctic Ocean to becoming a new-generation female captain under the theme "Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves, Be the Captain of Your Own Life," inspiring more women to bravely take charge of their careers and lives.

In terms of industry practice sharing, Li Yuan, Chief Operating Officer of Shanghai Yibang Port Information Technology Co., Ltd., analyzed the "Digital Development of Global Port Services for Bulk Commodities"; Ye Yumang, Vice Chairman of COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain (East China) Regional Company, discussed "The Physical Internet Reshaping the New Future of Port and Shipping Logistics"; and Wang Yan, General Manager of Shanghai Xiumei Model Co., Ltd., demonstrated the innovative application of model manufacturing and 3D printing design technologies in empowering scientific research and serving industries under the theme "Connecting Blueprints and Blue Oceans: Models, Setting Sail for Shipping Dreams Accurately."

On the topic of green and sustainable development, Fu Lijun, Assistant to the General Manager of Shanghai Ingle Certification Co., Ltd., delivered a speech titled "Sailing into the Deep Blue: Certification Escorts a New Era of Green and Safe Shipping," emphasizing the fundamental role of standards and certification systems in promoting the low-carbon transition of shipping. Duan Xiaoyi, Chairman of IMPACTOPIA, a global public welfare and brand impact-building enterprise, shared online from the perspective of "Cross-Border Symbiosis • Global Vision," exploring the integration path of women's leadership and sustainable development in shipping.

Against the backdrop of profound changes in the global landscape and the accelerated digital and green transformation of the shipping industry, the forum focused on the core role of women's power in driving industry innovation. In-depth exchanges were held on cutting-edge topics such as digital supply chains, green and low-carbon transformation, technological innovation, and strategic investment, aiming to build an international exchange platform and promote the sustainable development of the shipping industry and the enhancement of women's leadership. Through multi-dimensional and multi-level dialogues, the forum fully demonstrated women's professional capabilities, leadership, and innovation in the shipping and maritime sectors, injecting new intellectual momentum and cooperative opportunities for promoting inclusive development in the industry and building a high-quality shipping ecosystem.