CIDCA chairman speaks on GDI implementation

On Sept 20, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in New York. UN Secretary General António Guterres sent a video message. Foreign ministers of nearly 40 countries, permanent representatives of the group members to the United Nations, and responsible officials of international organizations including the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Organization for Migration, and the International Renewable Energy Agency, were present.

Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), addressed the meeting via video link, expounding on the CIDCA's mission in implementing the GDI.

Luo said, from simple food to delicacies, from rough shed and cottage to skyscrapers, people around the world never cease their pursuit of a better life. Development, especially common development, is a fundamental way to make it come true.

The UN community set up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Currently, we have witnessed the overlapping impact of profound changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, geopolitics and de-globalization bucking the trend, and deviation from the development issue. In such a situation, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development suffered severe setbacks.

He said that China proposed the GDI at the right moment. And we have begun to implement it with concrete actions. In this regard, the CIDCA shoulders an important mission.

Firstly, establishing a Global Development Promotion Center to provide policy support and coordinate joint actions. We invite member countries of the Group of Friends and counterpart institutions designated by competent UN agencies to join us for setting up a Global Development Promotion Center Network.

Secondly, establishing a global development project pool to increase input in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. Accordingly, we will carry out pragmatic project cooperation in eight fields. The first batch of 50 projects have been launched. We've organized 1,000 training sessions on human resources for over 50 Group of Friends countries. We welcome all parties to submit project applications through bilateral and multilateral channels.

Thirdly, upgrading China's South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund into the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. Currently, the Chinese government has promised $4 billion dollars to support “small and smart” projects in eight fields. All parties are welcome to apply for using the fund. In the meantime, we are exploring the possibilities to mobilize resources from all parties including international financial institutions, development assistance institutions, Chinese and foreign businesses, and non-profit foundations and encourage them to join the fund. We are also considering tripartite or multiparty cooperation between Chinese and foreign sides with each party contributing a certain financing proportion. This will foster greater project engagement and diversify fund operation modes.

Fourthly, holding a Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. We've hosted events such as the Conference on China-South Asia Development Cooperation, the Anti-Corruption Forum on Global Development Cooperation. We are preparing for an International Forum on Hybrid Rice Aid and Food Security and a Forum on China's Foreign Aid and International Development Cooperation Policies and Practices. There is no doubt that the first meeting for the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development would be a major event scheduled for next year. All parties are welcome to attend the forum.

Fifthly, establishing a Digital Publicity Platform for Global Development to share development experiences and success stories. Using the form of "national days," we will customize a variety of publicity events for Group of Friends countries.

Luo said, the CIDCA specializes in foreign aid and international development cooperation. Giving full play to its traditional strength, the CIDCA carries out complete projects, goods and materials and technical assistance, human resources development cooperation, and emergency humanitarian relief. The implementation of the GDI has opened up a broad horizon for upgrading China's foreign aid and international development cooperation.

Luo added that China looks forward to listening to opinions from all parties. By pooling our wisdom and efforts, we will make sure that the GDI is shared by the world through collective action, so as to contribute more to reaching the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.