THE SECOND SUNSHINE FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION CHAIR’S STATEMENT

THE SECOND SUNSHINE FORUM

ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

1. The Second Sunshine Forum on International Development Cooperation, hosted by China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), was held in Beijing on October 26-27, 2023. Representatives of the governments of China and 35 other countries, 18 international organizations, as well as representatives of relevant international financial institutions and think tanks attended. The delegates held in-depth discussion under the theme of "Supervision, Evaluation and Anti-corruption of the International Development Cooperation" and reached broad consensus. The Forum achieved the anticipated objectives of strengthening exchanges, enhancing mutual trust and promoting cooperation.

2. The delegates agreed that development is the eternal theme of human societies and the common aspiration of all peoples around the world. Today, the global economy faces strong headwinds and the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is confronted with grave challenges. The delegates welcomed the Political Declaration of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development，and stressed the necessity of putting development front and center on the international agenda, called for global collaboration on development partnership and acceleration of the implementation of sustainable development agenda so as to make sure that no one is left behind.

3. The delegates agreed that sound management plays a crucial role in realizing policy objectives. Effective monitoring and evaluation measures guarantee the achievement and improvement of policy objectives. Monitoring, evaluation, statistics and anti-corruption plays an irreplaceable role in international development cooperation practices. Participants in global development cooperation have strengthened the monitoring, evaluation, statistics and anti-corruption in multiple ways in accordance with their respective conditions, and have formed their own distinctive monitoring and evaluation systems, accumulating a great number of vivid cases and valuable experiences. These efforts are vital for improving the efficiency of the use of development cooperation fund, enhancing development cooperation project management and helping developing countries foster endogenous development capabilities.

4. The delegates shared their best practices in monitoring, evaluation, statistics and anti-corruption in the area of international development cooperation and, through simulated case study on development cooperation evaluation, introduced the characteristics of their respective evaluation methodologies and indicator systems. They also carried out peer reviews in order to promote the construction of their respective evaluation systems. The delegates agreed that, despite the differences in philosophies, standards and practices of monitoring and evaluation, they share the same objective of ensuring the transparency, integrity and effectiveness of international development cooperation projects and funds. The delegates stressed the importance of transparency and effectiveness in international development cooperation, and shared their practices and experiences in improving transparency and effectiveness of development cooperation.

5. During the forum, China launched two issues of International Development Cooperation: China's Practice, introducing China’s foreign assistance evaluation indicator system and cases of evaluation of poverty reduction projects in East Asia. Chinese governmental authorities responsible for implementing China's foreign assistance projects introduced their practices and experiences of monitoring and quality control measures towards foreign assistance projects. Chinese enterprises responsible for implementing foreign assistance projects introduced their practices of managing project construction quality and overseeing the production and transportation processes of aid materials.

6. The delegates believed that corruption is a common enemy against human societies. Combating corruption and forging cooperation projects with quality and integrity are aligned with the common interests of all countries and will help achieve global sustainable development. The international community should learn from each other in the field of anti-corruption and enhance anti-corruption capabilities through infrastructure assistance, capacity building, exchange of experience and other forms of development cooperation. The delegates should strengthen the accountability and effectiveness of cooperation through prevention and punishment of corruption, so as to create a clean, safe and stable environment for development cooperation.

7. The delegates believed that strengthening exchanges and cooperation in monitoring, evaluation, statistics and anti-corruption in the field of international development cooperation is of great significance in facilitating the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All participants in development cooperation should, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, seeking common ground while reserving differences and pragmatic cooperation, respect the sovereignty of each country, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, learn from each other, expand their development mindset, enhance their collaboration and promote common progress.

8. As the Chair of the Forum, China appreciates the active participation of the delegates and their important contributions. The participants appreciate China's fruitful work in organizing the Forum and look forward to continuing to maintain communication and exchange with China on relevant issues and to take part in future relevant activities if appropriate under the framework of the Sunshine Forum.