The 8th National Dialogue’s Demo Day, hosted by UNDP and Citi China’s Youth Co:Lab, with support from CICETE, gathered 60 young entrepreneurs and featured a showcase from 12 start-ups.

The 8th annual National Dialogue concluded successfully in Beijing, underscoring the growing role of China’s young entrepreneurs in leading the country’s transition toward a circular economy.

Co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Centre for Young People (SCLSCC), and Citi China, the three-day event gathered 60 of China’s most promising youth entrepreneurs to tackle one of today’s most pressing challenges.

This year’s Dialogue provided a national platform for China’s youth entrepreneurs to network, share knowledge, and explore emerging industry trends.?It provided opportunities for them to present inclusive solutions, including initiatives focused on underserved communities and women, as well as innovative approaches to accelerating the circular economy agenda to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and dual carbon goals in China.

Since its launch in China in 2018, the National Dialogue has continually evolved to address the nation’s emerging sustainable development priorities - from accessibility, rural revitalization, and digital accelerators for climate action and green entrepreneurship. To date, the initiative has supported over?500 youth-led startups?with mentorship, networking, and acceleration opportunities, many led by entrepreneurs from under-represented regions and groups.

“Young people are?the pivotal force that connects policy to practice and ambition to action,” said James George, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP China, in his opening address. “By?leveraging?innovation and fostering sustainable patterns of consumption and production,?all of?you, as changemakers,?stand?at the forefront?of progress. You are the ones who will lead this transformation,?driving?inclusive economic growth in China while safeguarding the environment.”

Zhao Jun, Deputy Director General of the SCLSCC, stated: “The SCLSCC has always regarded cultivating a younger generation equipped with sustainability literacy as its core mission. We champion the 3A sustainability education philosophy, Awareness, Ability, and Action, which aligns closely with the ‘Circular Economy’ theme of this year’s National Dialogue. Through this platform, we aim to provide a practical stage for youth to deepen their understanding of sustainability, hone their skills through innovative exploration, and translate the principles of circular economy into tangible actions, injecting youthful momentum into building a greener future.”

Dai Dajiang, Deputy Director General of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), highlighted: “The circular economy is shaping the new foundation for future development and represents a key focus in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Young people are precisely the most vital force driving this transition and fostering innovation. In confronting the forward-looking proposition of the circular economy, youth are not merely participants, they are the leaders.”

Hongjun Teng, Executive Vice President of Citibank (China) Co., Ltd., reiterated Citi’s long-term commitment to youth development: “Youth potential is a vital force for driving social transformation. Citi has always been committed to supporting youth development through a range of initiatives, partnering with outstanding community partners and creating platforms that bring together stakeholders from across society. Through collaborative efforts, we actively explore innovative ways to fulfill Citi’s mission of enabling growth and economic progress.”

On Demo Day, 12 start-ups showcased their business solutions for advancing the Circular Economy to an audience of investors. First place winners including Clean Source, an efficient microbial inoculant specialized in treating aquaculture wastewater and Illumisense, who dedicated to leveraging AIoT technology for the operation and maintenance of smart pole stations and optimizing regional new energy management.

Two teams, Tapo Carbon, a water purification system that integrates carbon capture, utilization, and storage, and?Clean Source were selected to receive seed grants from?CVC Capital, as part of UNDP’s Youth Innovation Grants to build sustainable financing mechanisms for youth-led ventures aligned with the SDGs. Moving ahead, the winning teams from the National Dialogue will have an opportunity to showcase their circular economy solutions at the 2026 Regional Youth Summit, the largest UNDP gathering for young social entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific region.