LocationsRemarks by Mr. James George at the 2026 Global Digital Economy Collaborative Forum
July 2, 2026
UNDP China Resident Representative a.i., James George, Delivering His Remarks at the 2026 Global Digital Economy Collaborative Forum
Mr. Huang Yihua, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government,
Mr. Chu Junwei, Secretary of the CPC Daxing District Committee,
Mr. Zhou Jingxiao, Secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Beijing Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese,
Mr. Fu Yongbao, Deputy Director General and Inspector, Department of Information Technology Development, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,
Mr. Wang Zhicheng, Deputy Director of the Data and Technology Support Center, Cyberspace Administration of China,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, it is a pleasure to join you at today’s Global Digital Economy Collaboration Forum.
Today, digitalization is rapidly transforming the world and redefining how we live, work, learn, and connect.
From optimizing energy systems and improving healthcare, to revolutionizing education, and enhancing public services, digital technologies are opening up new avenues for responding to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
And this couldn’t be happening at a more urgent time.
With less than four years remaining until the deadline of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, latest assessments show that only around 35 per cent of the targets for the Sustainable Development Goals – our global blueprint to safeguard the future of people and planet – are on track or making moderate progress. At the same time, nearly one-fifth are actually moving in reverse[i].
In this context, the relationship between digital innovation and sustainable development has moved from aspiration to necessity. New technologies represent a vital opportunity to accelerate solutions and expand access to services.
Yet this opportunity will not simply materialize on its own.
"Through our experience, we have seen that the most successful digital transformations are those that place people at the center – those that expand opportunity, strengthen inclusion, and help ensure that no one is left behind."
Real progress depends not only on technological advancement, but on how technology is governed, applied, and shared.
This is why, nearly two years ago, at the United Nations Summit of the Future, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact – a shared commitment to ensuring that digital technologies contribute to sustainable development and benefit everyone, everywhere.
Among the commitments of the Global Digital Compact, one is especially relevant to today's forum: strengthening collaboration, sharing knowledge, and supporting digital innovation for sustainable development.
Achieving this requires strong partnerships, investment in people and skills, and inclusive innovation ecosystems.
Cities are at the forefront of this effort.
They are where innovation is tested, public services are delivered, and digital solutions are most directly integrated into people's daily lives.
As centres of innovation and economic activity, cities are uniquely positioned to translate global commitments into practical action.
UNDP has long worked alongside our partners to advance this agenda.
Around the world, across our network in 170 countries and territories, we support governments and communities in harnessing digital transformation for sustainable development, from strengthening digital governance and public infrastructure to building the skills and institutions needed for an inclusive digital future.
Through our experience, we have seen that the most successful digital transformations are those that place people at the center – those that expand opportunity, strengthen inclusion, and help ensure that no one is left behind.
It is in this spirit that, last year, UNDP joined hands with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the People's Government of Daxing District, and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges to launch the Demonstration Project on Digital-Friendly and Digital Economy for Sustainable Development.
Over the past year, this partnership has laid the foundation for exploring how digital technologies can support more inclusive, people-centered, and sustainable urban development.
Building on this foundation, I am delighted to mark another important milestone today with the launch of the UNDP SDG Innovation Lab on Digital-Friendly and Digital Economy for Sustainable Development.
By bringing together government, industry, academia, and development partners, the Lab will provide a platform to test new ideas, share knowledge, and explore practical digital solutions that respond to urban development challenges.
We hope that the experiences and insights generated here in Beijing will not only support local development priorities, but also contribute to exchanges among cities across China and around the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, as the digital transformation continues to accelerate, it is essential that innovation is accompanied by inclusion, trust, and responsibility.
The future of the digital economy will depend not only on the technologies we develop, but on how effectively we work together to ensure their benefits are shared by all.
Our collaboration here in Beijing reflects the spirit of the Global Digital Compact and our joint commitment to translating global ambition into practical action.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the organizers for convening today’s important dialogue, and I look forward to the ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that will emerge from today's discussions.
Together, let’s continue our work to ensure that digital innovation advances an inclusive future, where no one is left behind.
Thank you.
[i] https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2025.pdf
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