Chen Hao, Party chief of Huzhou, holds talks with the visiting delegation headed by Stefan Schweinfest, director of the United Nations Statistics Division, on April 16. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Chen Hao, Party chief of Huzhou, held a meeting on April 16 with a delegation led by Stefan Schweinfest, director of the United Nations Statistics Division.

Chen extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and underscored the significant advancements achieved with Schweinfest's support. He specifically highlighted the successful hosting of the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress in 2018 and the establishment of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre in Huzhou's Deqing county in May 2022.

Emphasizing Huzhou's dedication to nurturing eight emerging industrial chains, Chen spotlighted the thriving geographic information industry in Deqing, which has attracted over 430 enterprises and generated over 30 billion yuan ($4.15 billion) in revenue.

The Party chief expressed his optimism for continued support from the United Nations Statistics Division to further attract resources and opportunities for Huzhou's ongoing development.

Schweinfest conveyed his deep appreciation for Huzhou's well-preserved natural ecology, rich culture and history, and the flourishing geographic information sector, which left a profound impression on him. He expressed gratitude to the governments of Huzhou and Deqing for their assistance in establishing the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre. Schweinfest underscored the center's pivotal role in global research, data sharing, and industry innovation to bolster the international community's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He expressed his hope for sustained robust support from Huzhou and Deqing for the centre's advancement, contributing to addressing global economic, social, and environmental challenges.