The General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology issued the ''Application Guidelines for National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones''

To standardize and guide the creation of National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones across China, the General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology issued the "Application Guidelines for National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones" on April 14, 2017. These guidelines comprise five parts: the background, application requirements, application process, and the formulation of sustainable development plans and construction plans for the innovation demonstration zones.

In September 2016, my country formulated and released the "China's National Plan for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," with the creation of National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones as a key task. The Ministry of Science and Technology attached great importance to this task, conducting multiple investigations, discussions, and inter-departmental communications, convening an inter-ministerial joint meeting for the experimental zones for review and deliberation, and submitting a special report to the State Council leadership. On December 5, 2016, the State Council officially issued the "Construction Plan for China's Innovation Demonstration Zones for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," further promoting the supporting and leading role of scientific and technological innovation in sustainable development.

The creation of National Sustainable Development Innovation Demonstration Zones is an important decision made by my country in consideration of both domestic and international situations. Since the release of the State Council document, enthusiasm for the creation of these zones has been high across the country, and there has been a positive response from all sectors of society. Almost all local science and technology departments have actively communicated with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have also contacted the Ministry of Science and Technology through various channels, expressing high interest in the creation of national sustainable development innovation demonstration zones. To advance the creation of these zones, the Ministry of Science and Technology has spearheaded the establishment of an inter-ministerial joint conference on national sustainable development experimental zones, involving 20 departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, to coordinate and promote the work.

This year, the Ministry of Science and Technology will work closely with relevant departments and strengthen communication with local governments to fully launch the creation of innovation demonstration zones, making them truly important platforms for integrating science and technology with society and people's livelihoods, and for the practical application and transformation of scientific and technological innovation achievements.