CIDCA vice-chairman addresses sustainable development sub-forum at 2nd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation

From Dec 7 to 8, 2023, the Second China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, co-hosted by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and the people's government of Southwest China's Yunnan province, was held in Kunming, capital of the province. 

Liu Junfeng, the CIDCA's vice-chairman, attended and addressed the sub-forum on sustainable development in the region, one of the four parallel sub-forums at the event which was hosted by the Ocean University of China on Dec 8.

Liu noted that after years of efforts, island countries in the Indian Ocean region have embarked on their own distinctive development paths with achievements, yet they are generally faced with such problems as single-industry dependence, financing difficulties, weak infrastructure, and significant impacts from climate change. 

Focusing on sustainable development for island countries in the Indian Ocean region, it is hoped that this sub-forum could pool the wisdom of all parties to support those countries with development resources, experiences and projects, to better support their socioeconomic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods, and achieve sustainable development, according to Liu.

Noting that no country or people should be left behind on the road to development, a goal advocated by the United Nations and a vision of the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Liu said that China has been a doer as well as an advocate in helping the development of Indian Ocean island countries. Since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward 10 years ago, China has been providing support to those countries in infrastructure development, the improvement of people's livelihoods, capacity building and climate change response, playing an important role in promoting the sustainable development of those countries, he said. Looking ahead, China will work with all countries in the Indian Ocean region to share its development experience and seek development strategies for common development and prosperity, as well as make greater new contributions to the building of a maritime community with a shared future and a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Nearly 100 representatives from governments and international organizations, and experts held in-depth exchanges and reached extensive consensus on promoting the sustainable development of Indian Ocean island countries.