UN official: APEC a key platform for unlocking green economy potential

At the recently concluded 2025 Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Forum and Shenzhen National Low-Carbon City Forum, Shenzhen Daily interviewed a senior United Nations official on Shenzhen’s exemplary role in low-carbon urban development and how regional organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), could further accelerate climate goals.

"Shenzhen has pioneered electric mobility, green finance, and smart urban management," Riccardo Messiano, deputy director of the East and Northeast Asia Office of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), told Shenzhen Daily.

“In my opinion, what makes Shenzhen experience, especially valuable is its integrated model where it combines strong political leadership at the local level, public-private partnership and digital innovation.”

Turning to the regional stage, Messiano emphasized that regional cooperation is key to the success of low-carbon transition.

Riccardo Messiano, deputy director of the East and Northeast Asia Office of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Liu Xudong

He cited the Northeast Asia Low-Carbon City Platform, promoted by ESCAP, which brings together local governments, research institutions, and development partners for practical collaboration on renewable energy, green transportation, and waste management. At a broader level, the Regional Implementation Roadmap for the 2030 Agenda and the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative further enhance digital connectivity and data sharing among cities.

Messiano held the view that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is a pivotal platform for unlocking the green economy's potential. He stressed that APEC must focus on two key areas: unlocking financial opportunities for members and driving capacity building, particularly for youth.

"APEC can really create this momentum for capacity building," Messiano said. " If our youth, our communities, our stakeholders are duly trained on modalities, on technologies, this is where they can create the backbone of this transition."

He encouraged Shenzhen to actively participate in international forums and strive to become a nationally endorsed "low-carbon promotion option," systematically sharing its successful model with the Asia-Pacific region and the world.