CIDCA chairman addresses high-level interactive dialogue on GDI at UN headquarters

Chen Xiaodong, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, spoke at the High-Level Interactive Dialogue on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) hosted by China at the United Nations headquarters on Sept 23.

Noting that development is one of the three pillars of the UN, Chen highlighted China's strong support for and active role in global development. He said that the China-proposed GDI is pivotal for global development and China is committed to advancing the GDI and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through collaborative projects, new platforms and expanded partnerships. At the new historical juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, he emphasized the need to reaffirm a commitment to "development" by making it central to the global agenda.

China will uphold a people-centered approach with small, impactful projects to improve livelihoods, enhance global environmental governance, and promote green development for harmony between humanity and nature, he said. The country will also drive innovation through international cooperation in areas like the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI), and expand the "Digital South" initiative, he added. He highlighted the importance of enhancing supervision and evaluation mechanisms for international development cooperation projects, focusing on quality-first development.

The event was presided over by Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN. Representatives from nearly 40 countries and international organizations, including foreign ministers of over 20 countries, attended the event and delivered speeches. Attendees agreed that the China-proposed GDI has offered and shared new opportunities for Global South countries to address global crises, provided a new and powerful financing platform for the autonomous, equal and rapid development of all countries, and served as a public good that benefits all humanity. While some developed countries have significantly cut development aid, China's firm commitment and continuous investment in global development cooperation have set a model of true multilateralism, they said. They called for more countries to participate in and deepen dialogue and cooperation within the GDI framework, continuously mobilize new development financing, revitalize sustainable development in areas such as industrialization and AI, and strengthen capacity building. This would inject new impetus into the reform of global development governance and continuously advance the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they said.