On the afternoon of March 27, the ESG Standardization Sub-Forum of ZGC Forum 2026 on Standardization and Technological Innovation was held at the Lecture Hall of Boxue Building at CUEB. Hosted by the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, and co-organized by CUEB and the Fengtai District Administration for Market Regulation, the forum was themed “Taking ESG Standardization as Driver to Advance Sustainable Development”. It brought together experts from government, universities, research institutes and enterprises to discuss cutting-edge trends and practical pathways for ESG standardization, supporting the development of China’s ESG standard system and global sustainable development.

Leaders from the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation and Fengtai District, along with Liu Ying, Secretary of CUEB Party Committee, addressed the forum. Wu Weixing, Deputy Party Secretary and President of CUEB, presided over the opening ceremony.

In her speech, Liu Ying noted that green development underpins high-quality development, and harmony between humanity and nature is a key feature of Chinese modernization. China is committed to an ecological-oriented, green and low-carbon development path, with ESG principles deeply integrated into investment, regulation and corporate governance. She added that the university is striving to build a leading platform for the research and interpretation of Xi Jinping Economic Thought. We are advancing education reform and government-industry-university-research cooperation through digitalization, and internationalization, toward a world-class university of finance and economics with Beijing standards, Chinese characteristics and global reputation. Focused on global frontiers and domestic practices, this forum demonstrates a collaborative pattern of diverse stakeholders. We look forward to further consensus and cooperation with all sectors to contribute more to the development of the nation and the capital.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Ling Wen, President of the Shandong Association for Science and Technology; Liu Zhaobin, Consultant of the National Technical Committee for Consumer Goods Safety Standardization; Zhang Minwen, Special Advisor to the Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Director of the IFRS Foundation Beijing Office; Li Aixian, Vice President of the China National Institute of Standardization; Dong Zhanfeng, Director of the Center of Enterprise Green Governance at the Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning; and Sun Zhongjuan, Executive Director of China ESG Institute at CUEB.

Participants agreed that ESG standardization is critical for advancing high-quality development, realizing the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and building a Beautiful China. It also serves as a key bridge between domestic practices and international regulations. They called for accelerating the development of a unified, China-adapted and internationally aligned ESG standard system, strengthening alignment with ISSB standards, promoting mutual recognition of domestic and international standards, and enhancing collaboration among government, industry, university, research and application. Multi-stakeholder governance involving universities, enterprises, financial institutions and third parties should be promoted to empower industrial green transition and support national sustainable development and global ecological governance.

Two research outcomes were released at the forum: Research on AI‑Based Quality of Corporate ESG Disclosure and Research on ESG Intelligent Systems Based on Multi‑Agent Collaboration : ESGFusionAgent 1.0 of China ESG Institute. These demonstrate innovative applications of AI in ESG report evaluation and system construction, providing digital support for improving the efficiency and quality of ESG practices.

During the panel discussion, guests held in-depth, cross-sectoral exchanges on challenges in implementing ESG standards, bottlenecks in corporate practices, alignment and mutual recognition of international standards, and ethical and governance issues of artificial intelligence in ESG governance.

The forum established a high-level platform for exchange and cooperation, highlighting CUEB’s strengths and influence in ESG research. Going forward, the university will continue to deepen research and practice in ESG standardization, work with all sectors to advance green and low-carbon development, and make greater contributions to national and Beijing’s sustainable development.

Officials from College of Business Administration and Institute of Sustainable Development attended the event.