On 4 November 2014, invited by Tongji University, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Wu Hongbo visited Tongji University, delivered a lecture on “China’s International Status and Youth’s Responsibility”. Tongji President Pei Gang and Vice President Wu Jiang attended the speech and briefing meeting on collaboration between Tongji and relevant UN agencies.

Mr Wu Hongbo’s speech is an important as part of the Tongji Global Vision Lectures. Before the lecture, President Pei expressed welcome to Mr Wu and introduced Tongji’s practice in Green Campus and sustainable development towards Tongji’s goal of “Towards a Sustainability Oriented University” in hope that Tongji could seek for Mr. Wu’s guidance since Mr. Wu has been leading the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in the work of sustainable development.

During the speech, Mr. Wu introduced significant moments of China in the global diplomatic stage and encouraged teachers and students to shoulder historical missions to let China’s voice be heard globally. He learned that Tongji plays a leading role in new energy vehicles, and promote Tongji to enhance social service in technology transfer in sustainable development. Mr. Wu also answered questions raised by the participants. Tongji Vice President Wu Jiang made a summary of the lecture.

After the lecture, representatives from the UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), UN-Habitat-Tongji Research and Training Center for Sustainable Urban Development, World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the Auspices of UNESCO reported the collaboration work to Mr. Wu.

Mr. Wu also took a tour on the Tongji campus and visited energy-efficient buildings and green campus paradigms.

Mr. Wu Hongbo was appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs on 1 August 2012. Mr. Wu brings to DESA his outstanding policy-making experience and problem-solving skills, as well as rich and extensive experience with multilateral organizations and international conferences. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wu served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Germany. Among his various diplomatic assignments, Mr. Wu served as China’s Ambassador to the Philippines.