Distinguished guests, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

On behalf of UNDP in China, I warmly commend the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Centre of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for hosting this important training.

Before we begin the session, allow me to share a few perspectives on the global context and some points for your consideration.

As we all know,  the Montreal Protocol is the first treaty in the United Nations' history to be adopted by every single member state. It reflects our global ambition and shared responsibility.

UNDP is proud to have been a leading implementing agency of the Multilateral Fund for Montreal Protocol over the last three decades.

Since 1991, UNDP has partnered with more than 120 countries to support their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. UNDP’s cumulative portfolio of more than 2,700 projects and sector programmes amounts to close to US$ 1 billion.

Here in China, we have implemented 194 industrial conversion projects. Globally, we support the implementation of HCFC Phase-out Management Plans in 43 countries, and Kigali Implementation Plans in 39 countries.

A few lessons have emerged from our global experience.

First, industrial transformation is no longer a question of whether we act, but how we act better. The Montreal Protocol has shown that phasing out outdated technologies can strengthen industries—by driving cleaner solutions, better equipment, new skills, and new jobs.

The same applies to today’s green and low-carbon transition. It should not be seen as a burden, but as an opportunity to upgrade industries and build more competitive economies.

Second, every technology roadmap must also be a people-centred roadmap. New production lines alone are not enough. Workers must be trained, technicians certified, and communities supported.

That is why UNDP places training, certification, and re-employment support alongside equipment retrofitting.

This is the essence of a just transition. As we advance petrochemicals, chemicals, and carbon markets, we must keep people’s livelihoods and community resilience at the centre. Without this, the transition cannot succeed.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past decades, UNDP have been requested by Governments to design and deliver comprehensive ODS-related capacity-building programs ranging from policy development and technical specifications to laboratory analysis and market enforcement for customs officials and institutional regulators.  

A key emerging request is to help facilitate mutual learning and technical exchanges among developing countries. This is greatly welcomed.

For UNDP, South-South cooperation is a practical development pathway and a powerful accelerator. It enables developing countries to learn from one another, adapt proven solutions to their own realities, and move with greater speed and scale toward greener, more inclusive, and more resilient development.

Over the next three days, you will see Qingdao's green parks, zero-carbon factories, and environmental equipment production lines.  As you take these lessons forward in your respective countries, rest assured, UNDP will continue to support your efforts to advance your national development priorities, ozone protection, climate action, and industrial transition.

I wish you all a successful and productive session ahead. Thank you.