Sergio Mujica, secretary-general of the International Standardization Organization, addresses during the opening session of the 2023 Qingdao Forum on International Standardization. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Officials and experts from around the world came together in Qingdao, Shandong province, on June 9, to address climate change and promote low-carbon development through international standardization.

At the 2023 Qingdao Forum on International Standardization, Sergio Mujica, secretary-general of the International Standardization Organization, emphasized the crucial role that international standards can play in tackling climate change.

In an interview with China Daily, he stated that ISO has made a portfolio of standards available to the world, offering a set of highly relevant international standards that are ready to be implemented.

Mujica highlighted the collaborative nature of ISO, stating that it not only relies on existing standards but also has the capacity to create new standards through consensus, inclusivity, and transparency.

He emphasized the importance of working with developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable states, in order to enable their participation in addressing climate change.

The 2023 Qingdao Forum on International Standardization is held in Qingdao, Shandong province, on June 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Qingdao Forum on International Standardization, launched in 2017 and held biennially, was themed "standardization on green, low-carbon, and high-quality development" this year.

Representatives from governments and organizations such as the State Administration for Market Regulation, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Shandong province, ISO, and the International Electrotechnical Commission discussed the technical role of international standards in promoting sustainable development and green, low-carbon, and high-quality development worldwide.

During the opening session of the forum, Tian Shihong, deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, presented an initiative to encourage collective efforts in promoting green and low-carbon development.

Philippe Metzger, IEC secretary-general, said the increasing importance of international standards in achieving harmony between humanity and nature. He recognized that these standards should take a leading role in upgrading traditional industries, fostering emerging industries, optimizing energy and transportation structures, and facilitating the development of the digital economy and society.

Metzger also said the IEC supports the IEC National Committee of China in organizing an annual national Young Professionals Program. This program aims to engage with young experts and future leaders, providing them with a platform to participate in the IEC Young Professionals Program and select Chinese participants.

An baisheng, deputy director of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Economic and Trade Development Research Institute, said that climate change-induced agricultural production reduction has posed serious challenges to developing countries. Similarly, many member countries are traditional energy giants, and green and low-carbon development presents both challenges and opportunities for them.

"Standardization is the foundation and crucial policy tool for green and low-carbon initiatives. Without standardization, it becomes difficult to identify and assess our green and low-carbon efforts," he added.