New Taipei City, Taiwan's largest municipality with a population of 4.4 million, is strategically positioned between Taipei and the international airport. Its modern infrastructure has attracted numerous high-tech companies to establish their headquarters in the city. Beyond economic growth, New Taipei City has emerged as a sustainability pioneer, becoming the first city in Taiwan—and the tenth worldwide—to publish an SDGs Voluntary Local Review, showcasing its dedication to global sustainability efforts.

As global challenges like climate change intensify, cities play a vital role as hubs of human activity capable of driving significant impact. New Taipei emphasizes the importance of distilling lessons from its progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting scalable, replicable solutions. These efforts enable cities to extend their influence, tackling issues like poverty, hunger, education, sustainable resource access, and climate resilience on a broader scale.

This lecture delves into New Taipei City's approach to aligning local initiatives with the SDGs, examining the policy changes, organizational transformations, and strategic alignment required. Through detailed examples, it highlights how the city overcomes challenges using both top-down leadership and bottom-up engagement to foster collaboration among government agencies, businesses, community organizations, and citizens. Key focus areas include urban development, environmental sustainability, economic and industrial growth, and social inclusivity. New Taipei City’s experience offers valuable insights and strategies for other cities striving to address global challenges and achieve sustainable development.