Shanghai, China, 6 November, 2025 – UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller has concluded a visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he participated in the Eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other Heads of State and Government. Müller also met with the Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to advance key aspects of UNIDO’s partnership with China.
During his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the CIIE – the world’s first national trade fair with a focus on imports – Müller stressed China’s position as a role model for inclusive industrial development and as a key partner for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), particularly now with its policy of zero-tariff access for LDCs, also thanking China for its consistent commitment to multilateralism.
Müller: "UNIDO's long-standing cooperation with China is a success story. We cooperate on implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development in China and together we are supporting sustainable development all over the world. UNIDO is the voice and partner for sustainable development in Africa, in LDCs and in the Global South overall. With the Belt and Road Initiative and with the Global Development Initiative, China is the a significant partner for investments, technology transfer and trade with developing countries and the Global South.” He further highlighted the China-Africa-UNIDO Centre of Excellence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as an example of how the growing partnership between China and UNIDO unlocks potential in the Global South, particularly Africa, to end hunger and limit climate change via cutting-edge industrial solutions.
During his meeting with Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, Müller expressed appreciation for the long-term cooperation with the Government of China and for the unwavering support of multilateralism and trade openness. He also acknowledged China’s strong support for UNIDO's work, which includes projects both within the country and joint efforts to promote sustainable industrialization in countries of the Global South.
Discussions included the planned expansion of the joint Centres of Excellence model to the Latin America and Caribbean region, enhancing cooperation on the sustainable sourcing of critical minerals through both UNIDO’s Alliance for Green and Responsible Minerals and China’s Green Minerals Initiative and the preparation of a new programme framework to be launched next year.
Minister Wang Wentao affirmed China’s dedication to further enhancing international cooperation to realize more development opportunities with partner countries. It was noted that China stands ready to deepen collaboration with UNIDO in areas including green minerals, digital technologies and standards alignment in line with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China has expressed its commitment to work with UNIDO and other partners to safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system and global free trade.
On behalf of Director General Müller, Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development, held a meeting with Yang Weiqun, Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, on the implementation of the flagship China-Africa-UNIDO Centre of Excellence while exploring expansion of cooperation and the prospect of replicating such inter-agency partnerships to other regions, focusing on skills development, renewable energy and the empowerment of women.
During the Hongqiao International Economic Forum – a strategic dialogue platform of CIIE – UNIDO and the Ministry of Commerce of China co-hosted a session titled “Free Trade Zones (FTZs) Driving Industrial Innovation and Global Trade”, bringing together representatives from governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses and academia. The event showcased innovative, collaborative strategies and best practices, making the case for increased international cooperation to unlock the unique potential of FTZs to drive global economic recovery and sustainable growth.
UNIDO also contributed to other high-profile sessions organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, conveying the Organization’s stance on boosting AI cooperation, world openness, and sustainable development. UNIDO’s success stories and technical cooperation initiatives were showcased at a dedicated exhibition pavilion during CIIE.