Chengdu, July 9 – How can creativity transform our world for the better? The Re:Think 2025 Innovation Week opened today in Chengdu with this bold question at heart, bringing together global changemakers, cultural innovators, and policy makers to explore how creativity can shape a more inclusive, sustainable future.

Under the theme “Harnessing Creativity for a Sustainable Future,” the event positions creativity not just as a cultural asset, but as a powerful engine of development—one that can drive innovation, reduce inequalities, and deliver innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Creative and cultural expression has the power to shape values, shift mindsets, and change behaviours in ways that data, statistics and policy documents alone often cannot,” said Beate Trankmann, UNDP Resident Representative in China. “Creative industries are vital contributors to low-carbon transition, social cohesion, and economic resilience—especially for those often left behind,” she added.  

Now in its sixth edition, Re:Think has grown into a signature platform in Chengdu, serving as a global convening space for dialogue and collaboration across sectors. This year’s event is hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the UNESCO East Asia Office and the FAO Representation in China.

At the opening ceremony, UNDP, alongside the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) jointly launched the second phase (2025–2029) of the SDG Innovation Pilot Project (2025–2029) in Chengdu, aimed at further promoting innovation-driven sustainable development in the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone and deepening SDG localization at the city level.

A representative of the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone stated, “Re:Think serves as a key platform for showcasing the zone’s international image and stands as a model initiative under UNDP’s SDG Innovation Pilot Project. We look forward to all parties engaging in meaningful dialogue and fostering deep collaboration through this event, jointly contributing to sustainable development in Chengdu and around the world.”

LI Shuyin, Deputy Director of CICETE, remarked: “Re:Think has strongly supported the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone’s innovation-driven development strategy and is gradually becoming a leading international exchange platform in Southwest China. This year’s edition highlights the role of culture and technology in empowering cities and injects new momentum into the localization of the SDGs.” She also expects SPARK Lab to apply its advantages in the Phase II partnership, gain more experience, and model best practices for other cities.

The event also marked the unveiling of the World Food Forum (WFF) Chengdu Office, an important milestone in FAO’s efforts to mobilize youth-led innovation, transform agri-food systems, and foster green, inclusive development.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it together,” said Carlos Aldeco, FAO Representative in China. “Fostering cross-sector dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, innovators, businesses, international organizations, and professionals to solve urban sustainability challenges, encourage youth engagement, and drive technological development is crucial for building a long-term urban blueprint.”

The opening ceremony concluded with a creative cities dialogue moderated by UNESCO, which brought together experts from UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network and beyond—spanning the arts, tourism, and urban innovation—to explore how cities can harness creativity to foster resilient identities and shape sustainable futures.

“At UNESCO, we firmly believe that sustainable progress must come through education, culture, the natural and social sciences, and communication and information,” said Shabaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO East Asia Office via video message. “The interlinked challenges facing today’s cities—climate disruption, inequality, demographic shifts, and rapid technological change—require bold, integrated responses. And we know that such responses are most effective when shaped by both cultural identity and scientific wisdom.”

Beyond the main stage, Re:Think 2025 embraces Chengdu’s vibrant cultural spirit through its Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Market, which showcases traditional crafts such as Shu brocade weaving, bamboo weaving, and tie-dye. The market celebrates the fusion of heritage and innovation, offering attendees a hands-on encounter with Chengdu’s creative legacy.

In the lead-up to the event, a nationwide campaign invited urban residents to share photos, videos, or comments highlighting creative ideas they discovered in their cities—and to explain which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) those ideas supported. Participants had the chance to win SDG-themed surprise boxes, tickets to Re:Think 2025, and even a shout-out from the United Nations. The campaign aimed to crowdsource everyday innovations for sustainable urban living and celebrate citizen creativity across China.

Re:Think 2025 continues through July 11, with an exciting line-up of programming:

• July 10: INSPIRO Festival for Creativity and Sustainable Development 

A showcase of youth innovators and creative leaders—from artists to social entrepreneurs—exploring breakthrough ideas for inclusive urban futures. Highlights include TED-style talks, a women’s roundtable, and an improv comedy session to spark new ways of thinking.

• July 11: International Sustainable Procurement Capacity Building Event 

Designed for SMEs in the creative and cultural sectors, the workshop will provide hands-on training on international sustainability standards and offer practical guidance on how to access business opportunities within the UN procurement system. By equipping local enterprises with the tools and knowledge to meet global requirements, the session aims to help them integrate into global value chains and expand their market reach through sustainability practices.

As Re:Think 2025 unfolds, it sends a clear message: creativity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for building a better world and accelerating the SDGs.