The United Nations’ 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development closed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on July 23 after member states adopted a ministerial declaration reaffirming the international community’s unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. During the general debate of the ministerial segment of the HLPF that day, Dr. Cai Bin, chief representative of the New York office of the International Mayors Communication Centre (IMCC), delivered an oral statement on behalf of Ms. Jin Lan, founder of the IMCC, briefly reporting on the organization’s achievements and plans, and expressing its desire to work with global partners to promote sustainable development. Such participation marks that the IMCC has once again stood on the highest stage of the international community.

After the meeting, the NGO Branch of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs sent a message of thanks, highly praising the IMCC’s contribution to the event.

Dr. Cai Bin delivers an oral statement. (Still frame from UN Web TV video)

Dr. Cai Bin delivers an oral statement.

The venue of the general debate of the ministerial segment. (IMCC Photo/Cai Bin)

The HLPF is the United Nations’ central platform for assessing, steering, and strengthening the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s forum was convened under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.” The forum opened on July 14 and brought together ministerial and other high-level representatives of governments, as well as a wide range of expertise, stakeholders, and representatives of major groups and other stakeholders. The forum’s ministerial segment, held from July 21 through July 23, was also part of the 2025 High-Level Segment (HLS) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was held from July 21 to July 24.

As a non-governmental organization (NGO) in special consultative status with ECOSOC, the IMCC was once again invited to the HLPF and the HLS, and was selected to speak at the ministerial segment. The IMCC submitted a written statement to the HLS. Dr. Cai Bin, chief representative of the IMCC’s New York office, attended the opening day’s meetings of the HLPF on behalf of Ms. Jin Lan, founder of the IMCC, and delivered an oral statement during the ministerial segment. These once again show the IMCC’s concern with and participation in major U.N. events, as well as its sense of responsibility to convey China’s voice and contribute China’s strength.

The written statements submitted to the HLS by NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC have been compiled and published on the websites of the HLS and the HLPF.

The cover of the collection of the written statements.

The written statement by the IMCC.

The general debate of the ministerial segment was held for three consecutive days under the theme of “UN@80: Catalyzing Change for Sustainable Development.” The final general debate was held on July 23, with oral statements made by NGOs, major groups and other stakeholders. The IMCC was among the 11 NGOs delivering oral statements. The event was broadcast live to the world through UN Web TV.

The general debate of the ministerial meeting. (IMCC Photo/Cai Bin)

Refined and sublimated on the basis of its written statement, the IMCC’s oral statement was mainly about the following facts: The IMCC has promoted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in both Chinese and English, and published a total of 374 articles; the IMCC has launched the eco-friendly beverage “Pachauri Tea” for refillable use, receiving excellent feedback and planning scale production using black tea sourced from Kenya and wild globeflowers from Inner Mongolia, an initiative projected to create 100,000 jobs; and the IMCC is promoting cooperation with a leading university in Hong Kong to train youth leaders in sustainability, inspiring the world’s 1.8 billion young people to take climate action and embrace low-carbon lifestyles.

Dr. Cai, chief representative of the IMCC’s New York office, read out the oral statement. He said, “We are committed to global partnership to foster inclusive city cooperation, ensure that no one is left behind, and promote prosperity for society, economy, and environment.” He also displayed the product of “Pachauri Tea” on site.

Dr. Cai Bin delivers an oral statement. (Still frame from UN Web TV video)

Dr. Cai Bin displays “Pachauri Tea.” (Still frame from UN Web TV video)

Dr. Cai Bin at the venue of the event.

After the event, the NGO Branch of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs sent a message of thanks to the IMCC through its internal communication platform and email. “Thank you for your active participation in the 2025 ECOSOC High-Level Segment. It was a pleasure to witness your organization deliver such a thoughtful and impactful oral statement during the general debate. Your contribution helped amplify the voices of civil society and enriched the dialogue on advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We deeply appreciate the time, care, and commitment your organization invested in preparing for and engaging in this important platform. We look forward to your continued engagement with ECOSOC and the United Nations, and we hope to collaborate again in the near future,” the message said.

The IMCC was established and registered in Hong Kong in 2005, with its operational headquarters in Shenzhen. It is an NGO born in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and jointly nurtured by Shenzhen and Hong Kong. In July 2017, ECOSOC granted the IMCC special consultative status. Since 2018, the IMCC has received invitations to the HLPF and the HLS every year, and has submitted written statements to the HLS several times to introduce China’s contribution to promoting sustainable development to the world. In 2019, 2024 and 2025, the IMCC sent representatives to attend the HLPF and the HLS in New York.

(Some of the information comes from the United Nations official website.)