Constructing demonstration zones to promote the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

After the United Nations Agenda 2030 was officially launched in September 2015, governments around the world have taken actions to implement the ambitious plan. This paper summarizes the actions and policies taken in China for promoting the implementation of the UN' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with emphasis on promoting the development of demonstration zones for delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Chinese government has taken two types of measures. One is to formulate a series of national plans and strategies and the other is to construct pilot and demonstration zones. Two approaches were presented to optimize the selection criteria for demonstration zones: a problem-based approach; and a major function-based approach. Both provided priority regions and major themes for selection and construction of demonstration zones. Suggestions for promoting the development of demonstration zones include: (1) building a monitoring system for the implementation of SDGs in each demonstration zone and establishing an open online platform to track the progress; (2) forming an effective stakeholder participation mechanism. The experiences in constructing innovation-driven demonstration zones are insightful for other countries to take practical actions in the delivery of SDGs.