CIDCA chairman delivers welcoming remarks at 2nd high-level conference of Forum on Global Action for Shared Development

The second high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development opened in Beijing on July 12, 2024. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui delivered the opening remarks.

In his remarks, Luo said that development, action, and unity are three key words of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and provide the strong and clear message that this conference aims to convey to the world. Development is the master key to solving all problems. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the biggest consensus on development within the UN family. The GDI, which was proposed by China three years ago, drew the blueprints for development, focusing on shared development and accelerating the realization of the SDGs. In terms of action, since the mid-term review of the SDGs last year, the UN has been preparing the Summit of the Future; and China is in action as well. One year ago, over 150 countries, international and regional organizations attended the first high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. Significant progress has been made over the past year, with over 500 projects implemented. Luo called for unity to implement the GDI and the SDGs, with the UN as the leading party, Global North and South countries joining hands, and non-governmental organizations, think tanks, international and regional organizations, private and public sectors all working together in this endeavor.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of Barbados Santia Josette Omara Bradshaw, Presidential Adviser of the Republic of Nicaragua Laureano Ortega Murillo, and Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Gerd Müller all delivered speeches on site. Those giving video speeches included the heads of state or government of Cuba, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Egypt, as well as the UN deputy secretary-general. Representatives from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and US think tanks engaged in in-depth discussions on joint action for sustainable development.

Themed "promoting sustainable development: continuous actions for a better future", the conference was hosted by the CIDCA, and included five sub-forums: "Promoting modernization of the Global South - new pathways, new vision", "Dialogue on innovative approaches to accelerating sustainable development, country, regional and global actions for a better future", "Energy transition and sustainable development", "Multi-sector engagement in international development cooperation - enabling global growth through sustainable partnership", and "Shared global youth responsibilities in the digital era". Representatives from over 160 countries, international organizations and other institutions attended the event.