Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao signed an agreement with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner to set up a Global Sustainable Development Center in Shanghai
On November 4th, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner signed the 'Host Country Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the United Nations Development Programme on the Establishment of the UNDP Global Centre for Sustainable Development in Shanghai' and the 'Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the UNDP on the Operation of the UNDP Global Centre for Sustainable Development' in Shanghai, and exchanged views on deepening cooperation in various fields. These legal documents take effect immediately upon signing, and both sides will accelerate the preparation work for the Shanghai centre based on them, aiming to start operations as soon as possible.
Setting up the Shanghai centre is an important outcome announced by Premier Li Qiang at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. It is a concrete action by China to support multilateralism and uphold the UN-centered international system. This centre is the first sustainable development centre UNDP has established outside Europe and the Americas in its 60-year history. Once completed, the Shanghai centre will become an important platform for both sides to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as an international public good to boost global development cooperation.
On November 5, the Ministry of Commerce held its regular press conference. Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling shared details about the agreements related to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Sustainable Development Center.
Huang Ling said that setting up the UNDP Global Sustainable Development Center in Shanghai is an important achievement announced by Premier Li Qiang during his attendance at the general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. It's also a practical move by China to support multilateralism and uphold an international system centered on the UN. After multiple rounds of negotiations, on November 4, China and UNDP signed the Host Country Agreement and Operational Agreement for establishing the Shanghai Center.
The Shanghai Center focuses on three key areas: green development, digital economy, and trade to promote sustainable development, aiming to boost global South cooperation. Its main work includes: 1) conducting policy research and providing technical support to offer development policy recommendations for countries in the Global South; 2) carrying out capacity building and knowledge sharing by facilitating training and experience exchanges among Global South countries; and 3) strengthening multilateral cooperation and resource integration, attracting local and international funding to support project implementation.
Huang Ling noted that after the agreements are signed, China will continue to work with UNDP to turn the Shanghai Center into a 'incubator' for translating policy research into action, share China's development experience in green, digital, and trade areas, respond to the urgent needs of Global South countries for green and digital transformation, and help accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.