On May 31, 2024, the highly anticipated first Boao Forum for Asia Global Urban and Rural Development Forum (hereinafter referred to as the “Boao Green Development Forum”) officially opened in Chengdu. Jointly hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia, the People’s Government of Sichuan Province, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the forum was themed “Green Development: Inspiring a Sustainable Future.” It aimed to foster a new development paradigm by promoting the integrated development of modern cities and beautiful rural areas, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He emphasized that Asia, as the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic region, plays a vital role in promoting sustainable urban and rural development. He further pointed out that rural areas can also embrace green, digital, and sustainable elements to achieve a win–win outcome for both the economy and the environment.

This year’s forum brought together global leaders from government, business, and academia to explore pathways toward green development in both urban and rural contexts. Tang Xing, Chairman and President of Grouphorse Group; Wen Yi, Vice President; and Peng Liuli, Board Director, were invited to attend the event. Their presence not only reflects Grouphorse’s growing influence in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) field, but also affirms the company’s longstanding dedication to advancing ESG practices. As an official supplier to the United Nations and a member of the UN Global Compact, Grouphorse has consistently integrated ESG principles into its operations and development strategy, actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities.

Distinguished attendees at the forum included Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia; Gu Shengzu and Yang Chuantang, Vice Chairmen of the 13th CPPCC National Committee; Huang Qiang, Deputy Party Secretary and Governor of Sichuan Province; Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO; Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Member of the Boao Forum Advisory Committee and former Prime Minister of France; Kong Quan, Executive Member of the China Economic and Social Council and Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 13th CPPCC; Danilo Türk, Board Member of the Boao Forum and former President of Slovenia; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Board Member of the Boao Forum and former Prime Minister of Pakistan; Shamshad Akhtar, Member of the Advisory Committee of the Boao Forum for Asia and former UN Under-Secretary-General;; Long Yongtu, former Vice Minister of MOFTEC (now the Ministry of Commerce); Wang Binying, Deputy Director General of WIPO, along with ambassadors to China, representatives from international organizations, officials from central ministries, and delegates from leading enterprises and institutions.