Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Chen Xu at the Side Event “Prioritizing Development to Facilitate the UN 2030 Agenda”
2024-06-07 04:27


Distinguished Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Ms.Rebeca Grynspan,

Deputy Director General of WTO, Mr.Zhang Xiangchen,

Executive Director of South Center, Mr. Carlos Correa,

Deputy Executive Director of ITC, Ms. Dorothy Tembo,

Fellow Ambassadors, Colleagues and Friends,


Welcome to this event. Today’s event represents the launching of the Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative in Geneva, and I’m happy to touch base with you on how to strengthen international cooperation and promote the global sustainable development.

At present, global economic recovery remains weak, and multiple challenges of geopolitical conflicts, climate change,as well as food and energy crises are intertwined. The new round of technologicaland industrial transformation, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence, bring both new opportunities and at the same time, new challenges for this world. It’s high time for us to rededicate to multilateralism, and to the purposes and principles of UN Charter.

China is firmly committed to an earlier implementations of SDGs. In September 2021, China proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which covers eight priority areas including poverty reduction, food security, financing for development and digital economy, with a view to pursuing more robust, greener and more balanced global development. In January 2022, the Group of Friends for the GDI was launched in the UN headquarters in New York.

Since then, the Initiative has yielded fruitful results. In terms of expanded network of friends, more than100 countries and multiple international organizations voiced their support, and the Group of Friends now covers more than 80 countries. In terms of reinforced practical cooperation,China has established a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund of 4 billion US dollars, which has supported more than 200 projects and over 60 countries. In terms of steady progress in institutional building, and of sharing of knowledge and experience, a couple of cooperation platforms have been operational, and a series of GDI related research outcomes were published, which are on your seat for your kind reference.

Distinguished guests,

Geneva is home to dozens of international organizations. We all share the same common pursuit: to advance the Sustainable Development for a better world. I am sure your participation in the GDI will greatly facilitate theimplementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Regarding the future work of this Group,I wish to share some of my thoughts:

First, make good use of this mechanism. we can meet on a regular basis, or whenever needed, to enhance policy coordination, so as to build consensus and garner greater synergy.

Second, encourage more participation. This group is an open and ongoing process. We welcome more like-minded countries andorganizations to join in, with a view to forge a stronger partnership.

Third, step up project cooperation. The Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and China-UN Peace and Development Fund will continue to provide financial support for GDI projects, and all parties are welcome to apply for their eligible projects to be included into the Global Development Project Pool. Members of this Group are encouraged to share experience relevant to project applicationand implementation.

Dear Colleagues,

The GDI is initiated by China, but its opportunities and outcomes belong to the whole world. Your valuable recommendations and contribution are very much expected and welcomed.

In a week’s time, we will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of UNCTAD, an important occasion to generate greater impetus on development. China is ready to work together with other members of this Group to make more contributions to promote global sustainable development, and for a better world for us all.

Thank you.