Shanghai Climate Week: Advancing Global Research Collaboration, Rooted in Pudong's Openness and Innovation

June 18, 2025 — The Launch Ceremony of Pudong’s International Economic Organizations Month was held at the headquarters of the New Development Bank. At the event, the Shanghai Climate Week Prosperity Alliance Institute, co-initiated by the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Urban Design and Urban Science, signed a Letter of Intent for residency with the Expo Administration of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

The event was jointly launched by Wu Jincheng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government and District Governor of Pudong; Zhou Qiangwu, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the New Development Bank; and He Dongbin, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. Xu Xin, Vice Governor of Pudong, attended and delivered a keynote address.

1. Letter of Intent Signed: Climate Community Joins Global Collaboration

At this important moment for global engagement and open development, the Shanghai Climate Week Prosperity Alliance Institute signed a residency agreement with the Expo Administration of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, alongside six other international economic organizations, including the International Association of Curators and the Artificial Intelligence Research Center.

Zou Rong, Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of Shanghai Climate Week and Director of the UNITAR Prosperity Alliance Shanghai Center, attended the event and signed the agreement on behalf of Shanghai Climate Week. This partnership adds new momentum to Pudong’s expanding international network of economic organizations.

International economic organizations play a vital role on the global stage—not only by fostering economic cooperation but also by connecting global innovation resources and supporting regional development. The Shanghai Climate Week Prosperity Alliance Institute was launched jointly by Shanghai Climate Week and the UNITAR Prosperity Alliance (Shanghai), in collaboration with top institutions including the Urban Design and Urban Science Lab at NYU Shanghai. It has received widespread support from global universities, research institutions, and corporate partners.

The Institute aims to promote the integration of theoretical frameworks and practical action in climate change governance, explore new models of international cooperation involving China, and facilitate pilot applications of the Climate Community Resilience Standard System. This agreement signals the Institute’s future development will leverage Pudong’s advantages as a national hub for reform and innovation, joining hands with global organizations to contribute ideas and solutions to international climate governance.

2. Pudong: Fertile Ground for International Economic Organizations

The launch ceremony drew wide attention and participation. The Expo Administration presented its progress in building the Qiantan International Economic Organizations Cluster, including institutional innovations and service mechanisms to support international organizations. These initiatives provide a strong foundation for international organizations to thrive in Pudong and inject confidence into the future of the Shanghai Climate Week Prosperity Alliance Institute.

To support the development of international economic organizations, the Pudong Commerce Commission released the "Service Guide for International Economic Organizations in Pudong," addressing key needs such as registration, operations, talent acquisition, and policy access. The Pudong Tax Bureau also introduced tailored tax policies to provide full-spectrum support for international organizations operating in China. These efforts reflect Pudong’s strong commitment to creating a world-class environment for global organizations.

3. Policy Empowerment: Supporting Growth Through Institutional Innovation

The "Regulations on Promoting the Development of International Economic Organizations in Pudong New Area," which will take effect on January 1, 2025, provide clear policy guidance and strong institutional support for the clustering and growth of international economic organizations aligned with Shanghai’s development goals.

The Expo Area, as a key carrier of this initiative, will further strengthen its institutional foundation and roll out new policies such as the "Eight Measures for Promoting International Economic Organizations in the Expo Zone." These measures aim to attract high-level international organizations and global headquarters to the area, positioning it as a super node for global connectivity, a powerful engine for innovation, and an ideal environment for international organizations.

As a global platform for climate action, Shanghai Climate Week remains committed to uniting global partners to address climate challenges. The joint residency of the Institute and other international organizations in Pudong marks a major milestone in Shanghai Climate Week’s development and a solid step forward in global climate governance. The platform is open to collaboration with global ecological partners.

Mr. Rao Wei, Executive Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the UNITAR Prosperity Alliance Shanghai Center, attended the event. Representatives from the China and Shanghai offices of United Nations agencies, including UNIDO and UNGC, also participated. In addition, heads of the Shanghai representative offices of several international economic organizations were present, including the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (United Kingdom), the Royal Aeronautical Society (United Kingdom), the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (United States), the International Chamber of Commerce (France), and the Asia Pacific Security and Asset Protection Association (Singapore).