尊敬的
刘多副市长，


傅小锋副司长,


Your Excellency Mr. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation of Cambodia;
 
Distinguished guests, 

Ladies and gentlemen,  

我很荣幸代表联合国开发计划署，参加此次绿色低碳创新论坛。
 
Shanghai is truly a thriving hub for innovation and serves as the perfect backdrop for our discussions today on green technology and the crucial role of low-carbon practices in shaping a more sustainable future for all.
 
I regret that I can’t be with you in person to witness all of this and participate in today’s event.
 
The world is currently facing a number of significant planetary crises – climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation are global challenges that know no borders.
 
CO2 levels are at their highest level in 2 million years, and in 2022 alone, climate-related disasters caused a global economic loss of $313 billion, directly affecting over 50 million people, and claiming more than 5,000 lives in Asia. Adding to this urgency, climate scientists have confirmed that this past July was the hottest month on record globally.
 
These occurrences are indicative of a broader, sobering truth – and that is, at mid-point, the Sustainable Development Goals – our global roadmap towards a brighter future for people and planet by 2030 – are in serious jeopardy.
 
Indeed, out of the approximately 140 SDG targets with available data, only around 12% are on track to be accomplished. Progress on some targets, such as those related to climate action, have not only stagnated, but even regressed.
 
Time is running out and our window to get back on track is rapidly closing.
 
However, there is still hope. Our world is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Rapid advancements in technology are reshaping the very fabric of our societies, from the way we interact to the way we conduct business.
 
These developments extend far beyond everyday life. If used responsibly, they present us with new and innovative ways to address the most pressing global challenges, from poverty to inequality, and of course, the climate emergency. Indeed, given the urgent situation we face, if we are to have any hope of achieving the SDGs by 2030, leveraging cutting-edge technology and embracing innovation is not optional. It is a fundamental necessity.
 
Here in China, the remarkable development trajectory over the past decades is an example of how pioneering innovative technologies and adopting new approaches can accelerate sustainable progress. Through advancements in renewable energy, including wind and solar, and e-mobility, China is making important contributions to global climate action.