On 3 September 2021, 2021 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum (hereinafter referred to as “Taiyuan Forum”) was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the opening ceremony via video link, delivered a keynote speech and declared the opening of the forum. 

More than 400 participants attended the event, including Mr. Lin Wu, Secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee, Mr. Lan Fo’an, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shanxi provincial Committee and Governor of the People’s Government of Shanxi Province, Ambassadors of Algeria, Denmark, Poland, Thailand and Uruguay to China, representatives of Chinese ministries, officials of Chinese provincial and municipal people's governments, including Shanxi Province, diplomatic envoys, as well as representatives of international organizations, business associations, research institutions and enterprises. Mr. Guo Chuanwei, Director of Trade and Investment Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), was invited to attend the event.

Mr. Lin Wu mentioned that it was the first national-class, global-vision and specialized forum in the field of energy held by China after President Xi Jinping present China’s strategic goal to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Shanxi Province will fulfill the goal in the practice of energy revolution and has continuously contributed to the energy low-carbon development in China and even the world, by comprehensively facilitating revolution on energy consumption, energy technology and energy system, and enhancing international cooperation in energy.

Foreign heads of state and government including Mr. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia, Mr. Bob Dadae, Grand Chief of Papua New Guinea, Mr. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, delivered video speeches. When addressing the event, they expressed their appreciation on China’s goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and called on all countries to strengthen dialogues and cooperation to address global challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change and public health.

Mr. Wei Tao, Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Shanxi Province presided over the Summit Forum after the opening ceremony. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, together with officials from National Energy Administration of China, National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), ministries of energy and environmental protection of foreign countries, representatives of World Bank and leading energy enterprises across the world made keynote speeches on green development, energy transition and international cooperation. 

Approved by the State Council of China, the Taiyuan Forum was co-hosted by the People’s Government of Shanxi Province together with seven Chinese government departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Ecology and Environment and National Energy Administration.

The theme of the forum is “Energy, Climate, Environment”, which consisted of activities including the opening ceremony, summit forum, 6 sub-forums, online exhibitions, as well as trade negotiations and contract signing. At the forum, the first Report on the Contribution of Chinese Energy Enterprises to Low Carbon Development & Top 50 was released.