The global importance of green technologies and innovation in achieving the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development was at the forefront of the Green Technology Bank Summit Forum, which concluded today in Shanghai, China. The event provided an opportunity to exchange best practices, experiences and expertise in the use of green technologies to drive economic transformation.
Themed “Green Technology, Green Development”, the high-level event was organized by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and the Green Technology Bank’s (GTB) Leading Group, with support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through its Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Shanghai.
“Shanghai is ready to support innovators in green technology by fostering distinctive clusters and implementing pilot projects,” said MA Chunlei, Deputy Secretary General of the Shanghai Municipal Government.
The GTB aims to fund green solutions to fight pollution and safeguard the environment, highlighted WANG Zhen, Director of the Administration Center of the GTB, in his statement. “With its market oriented strategic approach, GTB will implement policies and demonstrative projects according to international standards with special attention to the countries located on the Belt and Road.”
“Established 17 years ago, the UNIDO ITPO Shanghai promotes both inwards and outwards investment in clean technology,” said Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Director of UNIDO’s Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation, in a video statement. “We are glad to see that the office is contributing to Shanghai’s endeavor to become a science and technology innovation hub with global outreach.”
The establishment of the GTB through the Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Centre is an important measure taken by the Chinese government in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “UNIDO is honored to have been invited to share its expertise and experience for the development of the GTB through its ITPO Shanghai, thereby contributing to inclusive and sustainable industrial development,” said Lucia Cartini, Senior Industrial Development Officer and Coordinator of the worldwide network of ITPOs.
More than 250 representatives from various institutions, including the local government, research, private sector and international organizations participated in the 2-day event.