The UNDP Suzhou SDG Innovation DemonstrationProject, supported by the Green Technology Bank, was launched in Suzhou onApril 9^th, in response to the National High-tech Zone GreenDevelopment Special Action Plan of the Ministry of Science and Technology.Following the new development concept of “innovation, coordination, green,openness and sharing”, the project will focuson the development needs of greenindustries and the Suzhou Hi-Tech Zone,promote joint research and development,management, commercialization, promotion and application of advanced green andlow-carbon technologies, implement green technology pilots, support SuzhouHi-tech Zone's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality work, and help develop aglobal sustainability model in th Yangtze River Delta region. The project willalso develop the world's first SDGs sustainability assessment system forhigh-tech/industrial zones, and will assess the Suzhou Hi-tech Zoneaccordingly.

The project is jointly conducted by theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the China International Center forEconomic and Technical Exchanges (CIETE) of the Ministry of Commerce and theSuzhou Hi-Tech Zone Management Committee, with technical support from the GreenTechnology Bank. The UNDP Suzhou SDG Innovation Lab was also launched alongsidethe demonstration project. The Lab is the first UNDP platform in China thatsupports local sustainable development with green innovation and four corecomponents: development of pioneering and leading sustainability and greendevelopment assessment standards, solutions and technical tools; establishmentof a green and innovative technology promotion platform and demonstrationmechanism; international cooperation and exchange in science and technologyinnovation; and capacity building. The aim is to help the Suzhou Hi-tech Zoneenhance its green development pattern and support sustainable innovation in theYangtze River Delta region.

The launch ceremony was held at the ShishanBusiness Innovation District in Suzhou Hi-tech Zone. Distinguished guests whoattended the event included Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative of UNDPChina, PAN Jiahua, Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Memberof Independent Group of Scientists appointed by the UN Secretary-General fordrafting Global Sustainable Development Report 2023, ZHANG Yi, Deputy Directorof the CICETE, CHEN Dong, Party Committee Secretary of the AdministrationCenter of Green Technology Bank (Shanghai Science and Technology ExchangeCenter), MA Aimin, Deputy Director of the National Center for Climate ChangeStrategy and International Cooperation, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, LIJie, Foreign Academician of the Japanese Academy of Engineering and ChairProfessor of Shanghai Jiaotong University, YAN Xiaohong, Director of ChinaScience and Technology Exchange Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, LUOWeiguang, Head of Transportation and Energy Group, Yangtze River Delta RegionalCooperation Office, and GUO Jinhai, Deputy Director of Torch High TechnologyIndustry Development Center, Ministry of Science and Technology.

MAO Wei, Deputy Party Secretary of theWorking Committee and Director of the Management Committee of Suzhou Hi-TechZone, shared that the Suzhou Hi-Tech Zone was established in 1990 and approvedas a national high-tech zone by the State Council in 1992. Over the past 30years of development and construction, work has been done to firmly implementthe concept of green development, give full play to its ecological advantages,and lead by innovation and green growth. This January, the hi-tech zone wasincluded in the first batch of national green industrial parks and greenmanufacturing demonstration parks. In the next step, Suzhou Hi-tech Zone willfurther implement the concept of green development, promote green and low-carbondevelopment, and contribute to creating the "most beautiful window"of socialist modernization.

PAN Jiahua, Member of the Chinese Academyof Social Sciences and Member of Independent Group of Scientists appointed bythe UN Secretary-General for drafting Global Sustainable Development Report2023, and LI Jie, Foreign Academician of the Japanese Academy of Engineeringand Chair Professor of Shanghai Jiaotong University, delivered keynote speecheson sustainable development, carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

As the first businessinnovation zone in Jiangsu Province, the Shishan Business Innovation Districthas, since its launch, effectively taken up the four tasks of institutionalinnovation, open cooperation, business circulation innovation and serviceimprovement, with the aim to build a world-class green and low-carbon businesszone. At the event, the Green Technology Bank also released a green industryplan for the Shishan Business Innovation District. The concept of greendevelopment will be incorporated into the industry supply chains such as smartmanufacturing, new energy, energy-saving and environmental protectionindustries, green materials, healthcare, services and green city development. Amarket-oriented green technology innovation system is to be established. Theplan will further integrate green science and technology, promote regionalenergy conservation, emission reduction, and low-carbon industrial integration,and achieve low-carbon and green development.