On October 23, 2025, during the "AI Conference 2025" in Macao, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), along with Dr. Jingbo Huang, Director of the UNU Institute in Macao, met with Professor Wang Ying, Vice Dean of the UN Environment Programme - Tongji University Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IESD). The two sides held in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on further strengthening collaboration in artificial intelligence, expanding international scientific research, and joint talent cultivation.

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala expressed high regard for Tongji University during the exchange. He affirmed the university’s prominent international standing in higher education and its significant contributions to global academic advancement and technological innovation, expressing anticipation for deeper future cooperation. He particularly recognized IESD's active role in South-South cooperation, noting that through diverse approaches such as talent development, capacity building, and project collaboration, IESD has provided substantial support to Southern countries in areas like sustainable energy utilization and green development pathways. This has effectively promoted experience-sharing and coordinated development among developing nations, injecting key momentum into the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Huang Jingbo, Director of the UNU Institute in Macao, explicitly stated when referring to the prior collaboration between the two sides that he had deeply felt Tongji University's exceptional capabilities and professional attitude in the relevant fields. Based on the solid foundation of previous successful cooperation and the high recognition of Tongji University's comprehensive strengths, Dr. Huang expressed the desire to establish closer collaborative mechanisms with Tongji University in key areas such as AI applications, sustainability research, and joint talent cultivation. He aims to join hands in contributing more substantial efforts to global issue research and the exploration of solutions.

This meeting between the UN agencies and Tongji University not only served as an important review and recognition of prior collaborative outcomes but also established a higher-level bridge for communication and cooperation. It will help channel high-quality outcomes to serve global development needs, injecting new cooperative dynamism into addressing global common challenges and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The year 2025 marks both the significant milestone of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the critical juncture of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations University. The UNU Institute in Macao hosted the "AI Conference 2025" in Macao from October 21 to 24, providing an important platform for global exchange in the field of artificial intelligence. The conference attracted over 500 participants from more than 30 countries, who engaged in in-depth discussions on the global development direction of AI, centered around the theme "AI for All: Building an Equitable Digital Future."