The Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21 (ACCA21) was established on March 25, 1994, with the approval of the State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform. It is a public institution under the direct supervision of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Since its establishment, ACCA21 has been committed to implementing “China’s Agenda 21” and promoting national sustainable development. Supported by a young, professional, and internationally minded team, the Center has facilitated the implementation of China’s Agenda 21 and its priority projects; promoted sustainable development through the management, dissemination, and demonstration of scientific and technological achievements in fields such as resources, environment, ocean, and medicine; and conducted strategic and policy research on sustainable development to provide strong support for governmental decision-making. By organizing and managing national sustainable development experimental zones, ACCA21 has advanced sustainable development at the local level. Through the establishment of China’s Sustainable Development Information Network, the Center has strengthened information exchange and sharing nationwide. Extensive international cooperation in sustainable development has enhanced China’s engagement with other countries and regions around the world. In addition, through awareness raising, education, training, technical consultation, and public services, the Center has contributed to improving public awareness of sustainable development.

Over the past two decades, ACCA21 has built strong partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, social organizations, and the private sector, and earned a solid international reputation for its effective cooperation with the global community. It has made important contributions to the implementation of China’s sustainable development strategy and the realization of a sustainable society.

Main Functions:
ACCA21 is entrusted to undertake project management in areas such as resources, environment, ecology, oceans, climate change, disaster prevention and reduction, social governance, culture and sports, public security and emergency management, and urbanization and urban development under the national science and technology programs (including special projects and funds). It serves as a professional project management institution and is responsible for:
– Developing project management work plans, preparing budget estimates, participating in the drafting of project guidelines, accepting project applications, and organizing project review, approval, process management, and comprehensive performance evaluation.
– Organizing seminars, training, and public science activities related to project management and technology research and development.
– Providing post-project management services, promoting results submission, technology transfer, demonstration, and dissemination.
– Participating in the development of relevant research bases, platforms, and talent teams; overseeing project implementation, fund utilization, expert performance evaluation, and work on research integrity and science ethics.
– Handling appeals, reports, and feedback related to project management implementation, maintaining relevant credit records.
– Conducting studies on domestic and international S&T trends, participating in science and technology demand analysis, foresight studies, and planning, and providing policy advice for macro-level decision-making.
– Carrying out management consulting on circular economy, cleaner production, and green technology; managing regional science and technology development, as well as National Sustainable Development Innovation Demonstration Zones and Experimental Zones, to enhance capacity building and promote data and information sharing.
– Undertaking special initiatives on innovation methods, quality infrastructure, and science and technology for major events such as the Olympic Games.
– Managing global environmental science and technology affairs, including responses to climate change, participation in international negotiations, implementation, and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in climate and environment conventions, and contributing to the preparation of China’s National Climate Change Assessment Reports.
– Conducting research on major issues, trends, and progress in domestic and international sustainable development, implementing China’s Agenda 21 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and promoting international cooperation and exchanges in relevant scientific and technological fields, including cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
– Promoting technology transfer and capacity building under the South-South Cooperation framework.
– Undertaking other tasks assigned by the Party Leadership Group and senior management of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.