Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you today at the opening of the Fourth China and International Development Forum.
Let me begin by thanking the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation and the UNDP in China for convening this timely meeting.
This Forum takes place as the world stands at a crossroad, where only 15 per cent of the SDG targets are on track.
Many parts of the world are still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, worsening impact of climate change, and a variety of macroeconomic challenges, compounded by conflict and political instability.
Despite its rate of progress, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs remain the best guide towards a more sustainable, resilient, just and inclusive future.
We need to strengthen global partnership and rescue the SDGs to tackle the interconnected social, economic and environmental challenges and secure positive and lasting change.
One of the biggest challenges I would like to highlight today is the “great finance divide”, the gap between the ability of developed and developing countries to raise sufficient resources for crisis response and long-term investment.
To tackle this divide, the UN Secretary-General has called for an SDG Stimulus, a comprehensive action plan to mobilize at least 500 billion US dollars annually to accelerate SDG progress.
At the SDG Summit in September this year, Member States welcomed the Stimulus and its proposals to address the high cost of debt; dramatically expand long-term financing, through public development banks; and provide contingency financing to countries in need.
A Leaders Group will be convened by the Secretary-General to take key steps to deliver the additional 500 billion US dollars annually.
When Heads of State and Government gather at the Summit of the Future in 2024, they will seek to push this call for solidarity even further.
The Summit will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address gaps in global governance, and pave the way towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives around the world.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We must adopt a whole-of-society and all-hands-on-deck approach in the second half of SDG implementation.
The active engagement of China in UN processes, including through its ambitious Global Development Initiative, and further acceleration of BRI programs, gives me great optimism.
Through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and the UN 探花精选 and Development Fund, China has provided critical support to a wide range of SDGs, with sustained, tangible impact and meaningful benefits to developing countries.
Today's gathering represents more than a meeting. It offers an opportunity—a platform—to delve deeper into solutions that can drive substantive change.
Let us converge our resources, expertise, and aspirations to chart a course towards a more equitable and sustainable world.
I count on your continued leadership and partnership as we march forward in the next seven years of the SDGs.
Thank you.