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The United Nations Development Program is planning to establish a Global Center for Sustainable Development in Shanghai, aiming to leverage the opportunities created by China’s collaborations with other nations, particularly in South-South cooperation, according to an exclusive interview with Xu Haoliang, the UN Assistant Secretary-General.
Shanghai was selected as the site because it is a trailblazer in China’s reform and opening-up policies and is recognized as a contemporary hub for innovation. Xu highlighted the city’s strengths in high-tech and digital advancements, financial innovation, access to funding, as well as its rich higher education and research resources.
The UNDP envisions this center as a platform to facilitate the implementation of effective development solutions from China and other emerging economies, supporting these efforts through training programs, financial aid, strategic guidance, and various other tools. Shanghai’s unique advantages make it the perfect location for such an initiative.
Global trends are shifting, according to Xu. While aid from traditional donor nations remains essential, its overall volume is decreasing, and its relative importance is waning. Concurrently, emerging economies and developing countries are increasingly investing in global cooperation. “We need to take advantage of this shift,” he emphasized.
This year marks the 46th anniversary of the UNDP’s presence in China. Xu noted that the organization has played a part in China’s reform journey and that the partnership is currently evolving. As China develops its 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030, the UNDP has also approved a country program for those years. The current focus areas include supporting sustainable growth, achieving peak carbon emissions, reaching carbon neutrality, and reducing regional disparities.
Xu underscored that businesses can be vital drivers of sustainable development. Achieving long-term progress requires the collective effort of society; government resources alone are not enough. Research indicates that in more developed countries, the share of government funding in overall development financing tends to be smaller.
Corporate involvement through investment generates jobs, provides essential services, and increases tax revenues. Without active participation from businesses, reaching high-quality development goals remains a challenge.
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