A view of Huzhou, in East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

In response to an invitation from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a delegation from Huzhou, Zhejiang province, participated in the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from Feb 26 to March 1.

As the sole municipal entity representing China, the Huzhou delegation delivered a keynote speech focusing on practical measures for addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.

During the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP15, held in December 2022, China spearheaded the launch of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, drawing widespread international attention.

Huzhou, acknowledged as an international demonstration area for ecological civilization and renowned for its biodiversity, actively engaged in discussions with delegates from various countries at the assembly to strengthen consensus on implementation of the initiative. The primary objective was to promote effective, inclusive, and sustainable global biodiversity protection actions through collaborative efforts and exchanges.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Huzhou delegation also engaged in discussions with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, deputy executive director of the UNEP.

During the meeting, the Huzhou delegation underscored the city's pioneering nationwide implementation of the "substituting plastic with bamboo" initiative. Anji county was designated as the first national application and promotion base for the initiative, utilizing bamboo in construction, decoration, furniture, packaging, textiles, and disposable products.

Mrema affirmed Huzhou's accomplishment in green development and expressed appreciation for the city's establishment as an international cooperation demonstration zone for ecological civilization.

She emphasized the potential of the "substituting bamboo for plastic" initiative in effectively mitigating plastic pollution in cities and noted that the related experience is valuable and should be promoted.