The 4th Belt and Road Forum on Economic and Environmental Cooperation & the Annual Conference of the Belt and Road Green Brand Going Global Initiative Were Held in Beijing | Exploring New Opportunitie

On January 29, 2026, the 4th Belt and Road Forum on Economic and Environmental Cooperation and the Annual Conference of the Belt and Road Green Brand Going Global Initiative were grandly opened in Beijing. The forum was jointly organized by the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF) and Zhejiang University of Technology, under the theme “Gathering Momentum for Green Global Expansion · Empowering Win-Win Industrial Development.”More than 500 representatives from government authorities, diplomatic missions in China, international organizations, research institutions, and enterprises from China and abroad gathered to explore new pathways for international cooperation in green industries.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Xie Yuhong, Vice Chairperson and Secretary-General of the All-China Environment Federation. Opening remarks were delivered by Wang Xiufeng, Chairperson of the All-China Environment Federation and former Deputy Secretary of the Working Committee of Central Government Organs, and Tao Xinyong, Dean of the Academy of Science and Technology of Zhejiang University of Technology, on behalf of the organizers.

Chairperson Wang Xiufeng emphasized that advancing green development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a vital practice of implementing the Global Development Initiative and building a community of life between humanity and nature. He stressed the need to continuously deepen policy dialogue, technological collaboration, and industrial matchmaking. He noted that the Belt and Road Green Brand Going Global Initiative aims to build a full-chain cooperation platform, and called for addressing overseas expansion challenges through systemic coordination, empowering industrial upgrading through technological innovation, and deepening international cooperation guided by the vision of a community with a shared future.

Dean Tao Xinyong highlighted that universities are key sources of scientific innovation and drivers of industrial advancement. In recent years, Zhejiang University of Technology has actively participated in green technology cooperation and environmental governance under the Belt and Road framework, leveraging its disciplinary strengths. The university has established joint laboratories with Belt and Road partner countries, focusing on frontier fields such as ecological governance and spatiotemporal information, supporting technology R&D and transformation. Looking ahead, the university will further strengthen industry–academia–research collaboration, continuously provide intellectual impetus and technological support for sustainable development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhai Qing, Vice Chairperson of the Population, Resources and Environment Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, stressed in his keynote address that green development must remain the defining feature of Belt and Road cooperation. He pointed out that while the Green Brand Going Global Initiative provides an important platform for international cooperation, a deeper transition from “going global” to “taking root locally” still requires addressing key challenges in technology alignment, financing mechanisms, and project management. He proposed four key approaches: Taking Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization as the fundamental guideline and embedding green development throughout all stages of BRI cooperation; Building a systematic cooperation framework to promote standards alignment, full life-cycle environmental assessment, and capacity building; Addressing practical challenges such as green technology adaptation, diversified financing, and sustainable operations; Creating open and inclusive cooperation platforms to foster cross-border and cross-sector synergy for green development through joint research and pilot demonstration projects.

Cui Hongyun, Director of the Ecological Civilization Construction Coordination Division, Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated in his thematic presentation that since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, the NDRC has continuously strengthened policy coordination with partner countries. China has issued a series of guiding documents on green development and signed multiple cooperation agreements on building the Green Silk Road with countries and international organizations, forming a multi-level international cooperation mechanism. He noted that the forum, organized by ACEF with a focus on enterprises’ practical challenges in global expansion, reflects a strong sense of responsibility in advancing the Green Belt and Road. All parties should take this forum as an opportunity to further strengthen the green foundation of the Belt and Road Initiative and contribute to building a community of life between humanity and nature.

Ambassadors from Belt and Road partner countries shared their national green transition strategies and cooperation expectations.

- H.E. Selcuk ünal, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to China, introduced Türkiye’s climate agenda as the incoming COP31 Presidency, highlighting ambitions and actions in renewable energy and the Zero Waste Initiative, and expressed willingness to work with all partners to address climate change.

- H.E. Khaled A.F. Nazmy, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to China, outlined Egypt’s national strategies in clean energy and sustainable transport, emphasized the importance of climate finance, and invited Chinese enterprises to participate in green investments in areas such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

- H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China, elaborated on Indonesia’s vast potential and cooperation opportunities in four key areas: renewable energy, the electric vehicle industrial chain, the circular economy, and green finance, calling for the transformation of commitments into concrete projects.

- H.E. Dato' Norman Muhamad, Ambassador of Malaysia to China, shared Malaysia’s national blueprints and practical experiences in solid waste management, water services, and green energy. He highlighted successful China–Malaysia cooperation in waste-to-energy and smart water management, and expressed expectations for deeper partnerships.

- H.E. Fazeel Najeeb, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to China, speaking on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), stressed the urgency of climate action and the need for financial and technological support. He expressed gratitude for China’s longstanding assistance and called on Belt and Road partners to jointly advance climate resilience and sustainable development.

Expert Insights from Academia and International Organizations

Professor Chen Xi, Academic Dean of the College of Geographic Information Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, noted that spatiotemporal intelligence technologies—integrating artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and big data—have formed an integrated smart system covering monitoring, assessment, and regulation. These technologies have shown broad application potential in ecological governance, disaster early warning, and smart agriculture.Through platforms such as the China–Kazakhstan Joint Laboratory on Spatiotemporal Intelligence and Sustainable Development, relevant technologies have been piloted in Belt and Road countries, supporting regional green development.

Ma Chaode, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China, addressed global ecological challenges and emphasized the importance of realizing the value of ecosystem services. He shared UNDP’s successful practices in areas such as agricultural biodiversity conservation in Hainan and the “Two Mountains” concept value transformation model in Mengyin County, Shandong Province, providing valuable references for green transformation.

The themed dialogue session was moderated by Tu Ruihe, Vice Chairperson of the All-China Environment Federation and former Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in China.

Participants included:

- Lucia Skvareninova, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China;

- Wei Yuansong, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Director of the Laboratory of Water Pollution Control; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences;

- Ding Shaopeng, Secretary-General of the Chinese Advisory Group of the China–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce;

- Zheng Like, Chairman of AIKE Enterprise Group Co., Ltd.;

- Song Jing, General Manager of China Region, Vietnam Phu Thanh Group;

- Liu Xin, Director of Energy & Environmental Development International Consulting Co. Ltd.

The discussion focused on opportunities and challenges in green industry global expansion, alignment of technical standards, innovation in investment and financing models, and cross-border collaborative governance, reaching a consensus that systemic cooperation is essential to overcoming bottlenecks in green global expansion.

Three parallel sub-forums were held in the afternoon, featuring in-depth discussions and targeted matchmaking across different regions and sectors.

Silk Road Forum on Ecological Environment Monitoring and Restoration

Under the theme “Monitoring-Driven Empowerment and Efficiency-Enhancing Restoration: Building a Silk Road Community for Ecological Security,” this forum brought together representatives from research institutions in China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. Experts shared insights on spatiotemporal intelligent monitoring, mine restoration in arid regions, and trans-basin water ecological governance. The roundtable dialogue explored long-term mechanisms for ecological security in arid and semi-arid regions along the Silk Road.

Southeast Asia Green Industry Cooperation Session

Focusing on “Precise Alignment and Joint Ecological Protection,” officials, chambers of commerce, and enterprise representatives from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam exchanged policies and practices in smart cities, waste resource utilization, green investment, and renewable energy. Companies such as LONGi Green Energy, Infore Environment Technology, and Hexu Technology shared case studies of deep engagement in Southeast Asian markets. A dedicated one-on-one matchmaking session efficiently connected governments and enterprises, facilitating multiple preliminary cooperation intentions and receiving strong positive feedback from participating companies.

A grand strategic cooperation signing ceremony was held at the forum. The All-China Environment Federation signed cooperation agreements with Sichuan Electronic Information Industry Technology Research Institute, and Vietnam Phu Thanh Group signed with Shanxi Hengtong Group. The parties will deepen collaboration in core areas including the research and development of ecological and environmental protection technologies, the implementation of green industry projects, and China-Vietnam cross-border ecological cooperation, laying a solid foundation for the follow-up implementation of practical cooperation and boosting the high-quality development of regional green industries.

Middle East and Arab States Special Session - China Green Industry Global Expansion Cooperation Forum

The China Green Industry Global Expansion Cooperation Forum for the Middle East and Arab Countries, themed “Technology Empowering Industrial Global Expansion and Building a New Pattern of Green Cooperation,” focused on industrial collaboration amid green transitions in the Middle East and Arab region.  Ambassadors of the League of Arab States to China, senior representatives from the embassies of Kuwait, Algeria, Somalia, and others, along with international organizations and business associations, introduced policy directions and cooperation needs in clean energy, environmental infrastructure, and climate finance. Chinese enterprises including Hexu Technology, China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Zhongke Qingfeng Environmental Protection Co., Ltd., and Far East Holding Group showcased their technological strengths and international practices in wastewater treatment, solid waste management, new energy, and green manufacturing. The forum promoted the transformation of consensus into concrete projects and laid a solid foundation for long-term, stable, and sustainable China–Arab green industry cooperation.

Partners’ Night: The Power of Role Models, Fueling Global Outreach

In the evening, the “Green Belt and Road Partnership Night” was successfully held. Organizations contributing to green development were recognized with certificates, At the same time, the Belt and Road Eco-industry Cooperation Working Committee of the All-China Environment Federation presented plaques to newly admitted member organizations and overseas expansion members, continuously expanding the collaborative force for green development, further strengthening the Belt and Road ecological industry cooperation network, and injecting more impetus into regional green development.

The forum also officially released the selected lists of the “2025 Belt and Road Green Supply Chain  Cases” and the “2025 Belt and Road Recommended Catalogue of Ecological and Environmental Governance Technologies and Products.” These representative cases and  technologies provide key platforms for Chinese green supply chain enterprises to expand international cooperation and contribute Chinese solutions to global ecological governance.

At the same time, the forum presented plaques to Qingdao Yihua Environmental Protection Co., Ltd., Qinghuan Tuoda (Suzhou) Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou Jingtian Airen Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu Bishui Environmental Management Co., Ltd., and Green Power Environmental Protection Group Co., Ltd., as the first batch of “Green Brand Going Global Program Observer Units.” This initiative marks a further expansion and consolidation of the “Belt and Road” Green Going Global Collaborative Network.

Conclusion: Through high-level dialogue, strategic discussions, practical matchmaking, and honorary incentives, the forum successfully built a multi-level, wide-ranging cooperation platform. It injected new momentum into advancing in-depth Belt and Road green industry cooperation and contributed consensus and wisdom to global sustainable development and ecological civilization.