A prestigious new programme titled "Fostering Innovation for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation" (FIRST) spearheaded by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has been officially endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This global initiative is designed to drive innovation in sustainability, advance measurable progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote inclusive global collaboration and capacity building under the auspices of the UN International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) (UN Science Decade).
Notably, in the first round of applications, only 30 proposals worldwide were endorsed by UNESCO. The endorsement results were officially announced at the 10th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), held on 7 May 2025. This recognition is a significant milestone for CityUHK and reaffirms our commitment to contributing meaningfully to sustainable development through science, innovation, and global partnership.
Mr Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government said, "With the endorsement of the UNESCO, the FIRST Programme sets a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation can create a more sustainable future for all. I am pleased to support this initiative and look forward to seeing its positive impact on our community and beyond."
Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, said, "I am delighted that CityUHK will lead this crucial initiative to address sustainability challenges by developing affordable innovations in collaboration with our global partners. The Programme reflects CityUHK's commitment to Innovating into the Future and offering tangible solutions to global challenges."
The world faces unprecedented challenges in climate change, biodiversity loss, clean energy transition, and water management. To address these issues, CityUHK has been entrusted to lead the FIRST Programme as part of the UN Science Decade. FIRST will develop affordable technologies in collaboration with global partners to enhance sustainability and improve quality of life, particularly in underserved regions. This initiative is crucial for combating rising temperatures, biodiversity threats, energy disparities, and water scarcity, ensuring a sustainable future for our planet.
Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research) at CityUHK and a member of the steering committee for the FIRST Programme, said, "As a researcher, I'm inspired to contribute CityUHK's innovative research to tackle climate change and resource scarcity. Through the UN platform, our impactful, scalable solutions will empower communities worldwide, fostering a sustainable and resilient future."
"We will kick off the first phase of the FIRST Programme in June 2025, targeting pilot regions with hot climates and limited access to reliable electricity," said Professor Edwin Tso Chi-yan, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) at CityUHK's School of Energy and Environment.
"This phase will focus on four core innovations, each designed to provide scalable, low-cost solutions that can be rapidly adopted in low-income areas. These innovations are aligned with key SDGs, including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13). We are very proud to be part of this global initiative and make significant contributions to the sustainability of Planet Earth," Professor Tso added.
The first phase of the Programme will see the development of innovative technologies such as passive radiative cooling coatings using local waste materials for lowering temperatures of buildings, affordable printable solar films for generating electricity in rural areas, the conversion of waste biomass to energy for the circular economy, and a human-powered sanitation system for generating potable water.
By delivering localised, affordable, and scalable solutions, the FIRST Programme will boost sustainable development through capacity building, job creation, and partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. A robust emphasis will be placed on long-term sustainability, community engagement, and measurable impacts. Moreover, our undergraduates and postgraduates will have opportunities to contribute to this FIRST Programme via research and innovation for affordable solutions and by participating in community services for implementing the innovations around the world.
The FIRST Programme brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of international experts and institutions, including:
- Professor Shimelis Admassie, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia;
- Professor Ramon Fernando Colmenares-Quintero, BERSTIC - Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Network, Colombia;
- Professor Harm-Anton Klok, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland; and
- Professor Damien Bastone, University of Queensland, Australia.
The CityUHK faculty members involved in this institutional initiative will play pivotal roles in the success of the FIRST Programme. They are: Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research), Professor Julie Li Juan, Associate Vice-President (Mainland Strategy), Professor Edwin Tso Chi-yan, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) at the School of Energy and Environment & FIRST Programme Director, Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, and Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, Chair Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science, Professor Yuan Zhiguo, Global STEM Professor and Chair Professor of Urban Water Management in the School of Energy and Environment, Professor Charles Xu Chunbao, Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery in the School of Energy and Environment, Professor Angus Yip Hin-lap, Associate Director of Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, Professor Carol Lin Sze-ki, Professor at the School of Energy and Environment, and Professor Yan Ning, Distinguished Visiting Professors at CityUHK.
The FIRST Programme began with partners from 16 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom and endorsements from over 20 cities worldwide, highlighting the Programme's global relevance and growing momentum.
By co-developing transformative, scalable, and cost-effective technologies with international partners, the FIRST Programme can enhance environmental sustainability, promote social equity, and improve quality of life, particularly in underserved communities disproportionately affected by global threats such as climate change, contaminated water, poor sanitation, and the energy crisis.
More information about the FIRST Programme can be found at the official website: https://un-first.cityu.edu.hk/.
