On October 26, the 2025 SDG Cities Global Conference on Sustainable Urban Development, themed “Innovative Development for People-Centered Smart Cities,” was grandly held at the World Reception Hall in North Bund, Shanghai.
The conference, co-hosted by UN Habitat and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and organized by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing, Urban Rural Development and Management, brought together around 400 representatives from government agencies, international organizations, academia, and industry leaders to explore new trends and opportunities in global urban sustainability.
At the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Shanghai and the Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development delivered speeches.
The Mayor of Shanghai presented the 2025 edition of the Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century. Video addresses were also given by UN Deputy Secretary-General Anacláudia Rossbach and the UN Resident Coordinator in China.
Yann Auvray, Group Chief of Staff at Aden Group, and Jiang Dewei, Head of Business Insights, were invited to attend the opening ceremony, witnessing the launch of the conference alongside other distinguished guests and sharing practical experiences and innovative ideas in sustainable development.
Aden Supports Emission Reduction and Sustainability in Urban Built Environments
Cities around the world are facing severe climate challenges, with the built environment being a major source of carbon emissions. Its emission reduction is particularly urgent—statistics show that the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions while consuming 55% of the world’s energy. In this context, Aden Group is honored to contribute its expertise at the intersection of digitalization, energy transition, and sustainable development.
As a specialist in Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), Aden Group has, since its founding in 1997, been committed to providing global clients with systematic solutions covering energy management, green buildings, smart campuses, and integrated facilities management. Through energy optimization, digital operations, and green transformation practices, Aden continuously enhances operational efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint of urban buildings and campuses.
Through its subsidiaries, Aden has built a comprehensive business ecosystem covering facilities management, digital platforms, industrial real estate, and clean energy:
- Akila: A scalable AI digital twin platform deployed across major campuses and urban areas worldwide, supporting digital asset management and performance optimization;
- Aden Energies: Provides financing and implementation solutions for clients’ clean energy transitions, enabling comprehensive energy upgrades;
- NXpark: Develops smart, low-carbon industrial parks under a BOOT lease model, promoting green industrial clusters;
- Aden Services: Offers professional technical asset management and urban quality-of-life services, supporting sustainable operations.
Aden Group’s invitation to this global conference reflects industry recognition of its professional expertise in promoting sustainable urban development, advancing China’s “dual carbon” goals, and enhancing urban resilience.
Looking ahead, Aden will continue to drive innovation and actively participate in global sustainability dialogues. By leveraging professional capabilities and digital technologies, we aim to collaborate with partners worldwide to build smarter, greener, and more resilient cities for the future.
