Congratulatory message of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL Mr. ANTONIO GUTERRES 

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FOR THE FORUM ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNCAO ASSISTANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

2 September 2021

I am pleased to covey my warm greetings to today's Forum on the 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation, convened by the China International Development Cooperation Agency. CIDCA as an organization is already making a remarkable difference and I take this opportunity to commend you, Mr Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty and hunger, is the greatest global challenge facing the world today. It is therefore critical to enhance knowledge and strengthen national capacities of developing countries to improve their policies and programmes supporting sustainable agriculture and environment through the transfer of Juncao technology to eradicate poverty, and promote productive activities, income generation, and entrepreneurship especially among the poor, smallholder farmers, women, youth and to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Today's Forum coincides with the upcoming United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, celebrated on 12 September every year. South-South Cooperation is the manifestation of solidarity among people and countries of the Global South, contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. South-South and Triangular Cooperation is more important than ever as the world recovers amid multiple crises exacerbated by the pandemic and redoubles efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda, while meeting ambitions set under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

In its successful efforts in the fight against extreme poverty, China's accomplishments in the past decades set a powerful example that can be shared with other countries, through South-South Cooperation. Going forward, China's visions towards rural revitalization and shared prosperity will be a vital source of inspiration for South-South Cooperation as we continue our work to improve the conditions of the most vulnerable and ensure inclusive development.

This Forum, held onsite, is but one manifestation of China's firm determination to contain the virus and bring people's lives and society back to normal. As a reliable member of the community of nations, we count on China to play an important role in enhancing South-South Cooperation, to stepping up its efforts in making COVID-19 vaccines a global public good - an essential step towards containing the virus. The United Nations stands ready to facilitate such partnerships.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN. It is time for us to reflect on the past and ensure that we continue to see China make progress in its efforts to leave no one behind in the Decade of Action. The UN Country Team in China will remain a committed and resolute partner of the Government and people of China.

I wish today's forum every success.