On July 25, led by the Fuzhou Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, the Fuzhou Research Institute of Sustainable Development in Cities Co., Ltd. held a discussion with the 2024 African Officials Sustainable Development Training Program.

During the meeting, Dong Jingming, Chief Consultant of Fuzhou Research Institute of Sustainable Development in Cities Co., Ltd., focused on the theme of "Planning Challenges in the Context of Sustainable Development." He provided an in-depth interpretation of the connotation of sustainable development and its significant importance to human society. He explained the positive response policies and plans of the United Nations and China, and shared demonstration cases of sustainable development in Fuzhou City in four major aspects: urban governance, society, economy, and environment. These included the scientific scheduling of water resources by the Fuzhou Urban Water System Coordination Center, the Elder's Canteen + School program, the Yantai Mountain Historical and Cultural District, and Jinan Park. These examples showcased Fuzhou's contributions as a global sustainable development city in promoting the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Dong Jingming stated that Fuzhou will continue to adhere to a people-centered path of sustainable development, and hopes to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of sustainable development with cities from Africa and other parts of the world.

African government officials and experts praised Fuzhou's practices and Fujian's experiences, and expressed their views on the topic of sustainable development. Milton, a senior scientist from the National Metrology Institute of South Africa, raised the question of how to better address the issue of winter floods affecting residential areas in Cape Town. Professor Salifou from Côte d'Ivoire inquired about the unique aspects of Fuzhou's urban planning. Efrem, a senior scientist from South Africa, brought up the difficulties encountered in achieving sustainable development. Finally, Mark, the deputy director from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, expressed hope for more opportunities to cooperate and exchange ideas with the Fuzhou Research Institute of Sustainable Development in Cities Co., Ltd. in the future.