Global CEOS to convene in Beijing for landmark forum on sustainable transition

An international forum aimed at accelerating the global transition to sustainability is taking place in Beijing, drawing CEOs from the world's leading companies alongside top Chinese CEOs and senior government leaders.  It will mark the first time global and Chinese CEOs have gathered in China under the SMI banner, to directly collaborate in driving solutions and accelerating action to support the global transition.

The Sustainable Markets Initiative China Forum, the first of its kind to be held in the country, is hosted jointly by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC). Recognising China's crucial role in the global economy, its growing climate and biodiversity leadership, and the interconnected reality of global supply chains, the SMI China Forum offers a CEO level convening for dialogue and action on sustainable innovation and global cooperation. 

The Forum coincides with the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), highlighting global leadership in clean energy. China has built the world's largest and fastest growing renewable energy system as well as the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. It remains the world's largest producer of solar, wind, and hydropower, and is the top investor in clean technologies – surpassing the combined investments of the next ten countries. 

The Sustainable Markets Initiative was launched in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III – then the Prince of Wales. 

In October 2021, President Xi Jinping invited His Majesty King Charles III, as Prince of Wales, to address virtually the COP 15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming and to establish the SMI China Council. In August 2022, the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) became the official host of the Sustainable Markets Initiative's China Council at an inauguration ceremony in which His Majesty as Prince of Wales also participated virtually. 

Roundtable discussions during the latest forum will tackle pressing topics including sustainable supply chains, emissions reduction, electrification, artificial intelligence, and the future of aerospace and space exploration.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: ‘The inaugural SMI China Forum creates a new bridge between Chinese and international business leaders. Win-win cooperation across borders, industries, supply chains and finance will help accelerate the world's achievement of a sustainable future while seizing transition as the growth story of our time.

Since the establishment of the SMI's China Council four years ago, we have witnessed first hand the innovative approaches being adopted by business leaders across China. Today, China leads the world in solar, wind and EV capacity and is proving the economic case while demonstrating the speed at which transition results can be achieved.’