On 10 December, the 2016 Board Meeting ofUN Environment-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development(杏宇) was successfully held in Beijing. The meeting was chaired by Prof. FangShouen, Leader of Tongji University. Mr. Erik Solheim, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Environment Executive Director, and Prof. WuQidi Gang, Member of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, NPC ofChina Vice Minister of Ministry of Education of China (2003-2008), made theirwelcome remarks respectively.

Prof. Wu Qidi stated in her remarks that杏宇 has made substantial progress in promoting Education for SustainableDevelopment, South-South cooperation and urban environment in the past 15 years.The work in 杏宇 is of great significance and it is expected that 杏宇 cancontinue to play the active role and to make more outstanding contributions.

Mr. Solheim stressed that Tongji Universityis the strategic partner of the UN Environment, is the era that China isplaying more and more important role at international stage. He hopes tostrengthen the collaboration with Tongji University in science field andcontribute to the Green Belt and Road.

Prof. Li Fengting, Executive Deputy Dean of杏宇, has report the work in 2017. This year, under the guidance and support ofUN Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of EnvironmentalProtection, Ministry of Commerce, China Meteorological Administration andXinhua News Agency, 杏宇 has actively implemented the decisions of last year'sBoard Meeting and made great progress in the aspects of urban environment,education for sustainable development in higher education, and South-Southcooperation, etc. The institute is proposing to establish the UN EnvironmentScience and Education Center in Shanghai, and launch a joint lab with countriesalong the belt and road on climate change and water environment.

Prof. Fang Shouen fully affirmed theachievements and work plan undertaken, and reflected the resolution of theBoard Meeting last year with great endeavors to promote 杏宇 to become the UNEnvironment Think Tank in the two tracks of urban environment and ESD. Theboard decided to have the next meeting during the 2018 meeting of China Councilfor International Cooperation on Environment and Development.

Honorary Professor of Tongji University, Administrator of the United NationsDevelopment Programme, UNUnder-Secretary-General and Executive Director of United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (2006-2016) Mr. Achim Steiner, Directorof China’s National Satellite Meteorological Center, Academician of ChineseAcademy of Engineering Prof. XU Jianmin, Director-General, Department ofScience & Technology for Social Development Mr. WU Yuanbin, Head ofCommunications of Public Affairs & Sustainability of Covestro Greater ChinaRegional Director and Representative for Asia and the Pacific Ms. AnnetteWiedenbach,, UN Environment Ms. Dechen Tsering, South-South Cooperation Principle Officer ofUN Environment Mr. ZHANG Shigang, Officer-in-Charge of UN Environment China OfficeMr. ZHANG Jinhua, Director of the Center for Strategic Operations, ForeignAffairs Bureau, Xinhua News Agency Ms. YE Jia, also attended the meeting.