LocationsOpening remarks by Mr James George at the International Forum on Empowering Sustainable Tourism Development with Water Culture
November 21, 2025
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative James George delivered opening remarks via video message at the International Forum on Empowering Sustainable Tourism Development with Water Culture in Emeishan, Sichuan Province.
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the International Forum on Empowering Sustainable Tourism Development with Water Culture.
Though I regret not being able to join you in-person, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak today at the launch of the “Innovative Demonstration Project on Water Culture Empowering Sustainable Tourism”.
As climate change, ecological degradation and biodiversity loss become graver concerns, the need to shape local tourism industries around sustainability is greater than ever.
That is why we are here today, united by a common goal: to harness the potential of water culture in driving a sustainable, resilient future for tourism.
This new initiative, which will design and test new strategies for water resource management, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism, is made possible thanks to three UN agencies and let me thank each of them for this strategic partnership to support accelerating sustainable development through this collaboration.
Together with China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), we are committed to share our respective global and regional knowledge, assets and networks to support China accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals and the development priorities outlined in the 14th and upcoming 15th Five Year Plan.
"The key lesson and measure of success is when we can proudly and firmly say that our initiatives have empowered residents both as active participants and primary economic beneficiaries of local development in creating an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future."
This project, aligned closely with SDG 6, focuses on promoting ecological conservation, cultural continuity, and community development in the Yangtze River Basin.
Pilot sites will be selected to demonstrate green tourism standards, including energy saving, emission reduction, green transportation, and innovative low-carbon development solutions.
An open and multi-stakeholder platform will be established to facilitate policy coordination, knowledge exchange, and technological innovation, in efforts to localize other key interlinked SDGs.
We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with institutions across the Yangtze River Basin.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Together with CICETE, UNDP has engaged in sustainable development in China for more than four decades.
In 2006, we began a rural drinking water safety demonstration in Sichuan’s Chongzhou, and have continued to improve water quality in the region through projects spanning the Tuojiang River, the Zhangzhou Reservoir, and Danjiangkou.
Together with local governments, communities and partners we have delivered ecological and economic benefits to local communities, in line with China’s “Yangtze River National Cultural Park” initiative to support high-quality development in the Yangtze Economic Belt.
The key lesson and measure of success is when we can proudly and firmly say that our initiatives have empowered residents both as active participants and primary economic beneficiaries of local development in creating an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.
In closing, I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the China Tourism Academy for co-designing the innovative project as well as the Sichuan provincial and local governments for hosting today’s forum and launching this exciting new initiative.
Moving forward, we welcome further collaboration from all of you and new partners to support pilot projects and ensure that we can replicate and scale innovative new models for local development, guided by nature-based solutions and ecological preservation, leaving no one behind.
I wish you a highly productive forum.
Thank you.
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