A screenshot of the website of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

A report that gives insights into Shanghai's sustainable development efforts in recent years is now accessible on the official website of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (https://sdgs.un.org/topics/voluntary-local-reviews).

The Shanghai Voluntary Local Review 2022 Annual Report elaborates on the city's efforts to align its urban development with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines Shanghai's initiatives and progress in promoting urban sustainable development, while providing a comprehensive evaluation of its achievements made in the economic, social, and environmental sectors, among others.

The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people are enjoying peace and prosperity by 2030.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In September 2016, China took the lead in issuing the National Plan for Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which provided guiding ideologies, general principles, and overall pathways for governments at all levels to implement the agenda based on local realities.

In 2020, the United Nations officially launched the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, urging countries to implement the sustainable development agenda at a city level. 

Shanghai responded proactively by initiating local voluntary assessment work in 2021 and joining the UN Sustainable Development flagship program. Compiling the annual voluntary review report has become one of Shanghai's routine efforts in promoting sustainable development.