LocationsOpening Remarks by Mr. James George at the UNDP-Tsinghua Youth Talent Hub Launch Ceremony
April 30, 2026
UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in China, James George, delivered opening remarks at the launch of the UNDP-Tsinghua Youth Talent Hub in Shenzhen, China.
Deputy Director General Ai Yinfang,
Dean Bai Chong'en,
Director Luo Bing,
Secretary Zeng Lefei,
Deputy District Mayor Ji Zhaoying,
Deputy District Mayor Yuan Ying,
Dear friends and the youth powering the future of China,
Good morning!
I am delighted to join you today for the launch of the UNDP-Tsinghua Youth Talent Hub, our first joint UNDP SDG Innovation Lab in China dedicated exclusively to youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
When I look out at this room, bringing together government, universities, private sectors, and civil society organizations, I see a powerful and diverse coalition.
This is a coalition united by a shared conviction, that building a thriving ecosystem for youth innovation and entrepreneurship requires collective action, not isolated efforts.
Since 2015, UNDP has worked alongside CICETE and our global and national partners to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Young people are not just beneficiaries of the SDGs. They are the architects and driving force of the positive change that we need in a world that is challenged by a complex interplay of conflicts, climate change and economic uncertainties.
Ladies and gentlemen,
China is home to the world's second-largest youth population.
The question before us is not whether young people have talent and drive to be a positive force for a better world - they do.
The question before us is how can we engage with the youth, ensure they have the necessary support, resources, networks, opportunities and platforms to thrive, and foster their creativity to realize their full potential.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan 2026-2030 has a dedicated section to "Supporting Youth Development."
It identifies young talents as the core engine driving new quality productive forces. The 2026 Government Work Report further outlines this commitment to young entrepreneurs, including by strengthening financial support.
As such, our joint Youth Talent Hub is a timely response to both China’s national priorities and the need to accelerate progress in the last mile towards the 2030 Agenda deadline, putting young people at the heart of sustainable development.
It will be a platform where global goals meet local action, international expertise meets grassroots innovation.
"Young people are not just beneficiaries of the SDGs. They are the architects and driving force of the positive change that we need in a world that is challenged by a complex interplay of conflicts, climate change, and economic uncertainties."
Youth empowerment has always been at the core of our work.
Nearly a decade ago, UNDP embarked on its youth entrepreneurship journey in the Asia-Pacific region through Youth Co:Lab, together with government and corporate partners.
Here in China, our commitment has been continuous and evolving.
From the Springboard Social Entrepreneurship Courses that equip young people with an entrepreneurial mindset, to the National Dialogue that connects them with tailored mentorship, and the Youth Innovation Grants that provide catalytic funding, we have consistently empowered youth-led startups, fostered innovation, and enhanced scalability.
We have trained young Chinese social entrepreneurs and convened more than 50 ecosystem stakeholders, including government, incubators, investment institutions, academia and private sectors to collectively build a more enabling environment for youth-led entrepreneurship.
Today’s launch of the Youth Talent Hub in Shenzhen not only builds on this foundation but also expands UNDP’s network of SDG Innovation labs across China that we are undertaking with CICETE, our close development partner for more than four decades.
As one of China's 11 national SDG Demonstration Zones, Shenzhen is a dynamic city with a proven track record as a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, offering a service ecosystem that covers the entire lifecycle of a venture.
Futian District, in particular, has long been the first stop for young entrepreneurs coming to Shenzhen.
The Youth Talent Hub will strengthen youth innovation and entrepreneurship at three levels:
-At the upstream level, it will help shape more youth-friendly policies and regulatory environments.
-At the midstream level, it will build capacities and connections among key ecosystem players.
-At the downstream level, it will deliver direct, tangible support to young entrepreneurs.
Through flagship youth innovation challenges, curriculum development, market linkages, and multi-stakeholder convenings, the Hub will serve as a one-stop platform that aligns the resources of diverse industry stakeholders with the needs of young entrepreneurs.
While this hub is based in Shenzhen, it is our collective ambition that it will support youth, including young women and people with disabilities, from the city and beyond.
Let us jointly make this a model that can be adopted across China.
None of this would be possible without the partners in this room.
In closing, let me express my deepest gratitude to our partners, Tsinghua SEM, CICETE, and the Shenzhen Futian District Government, for your unwavering commitment and support in making this Hub a reality.
The future of youth innovation and entrepreneurship will not be built by any one of us alone. It will be shaped by all of us, working together.
Let’s work with youth and for youth to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future, for everyone-everywhere.
Thank you.
Related
content
content
