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The Sustainable Development Goals in China
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in China:
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10 August 2023
Science and tradition drive China-wide effort to restore landscapes
Ahead of Global Tourism Resilience Day on 17 February, which promotes sustainable tourism for poverty eradication and environmental protection, we take a look at a large-scale, award-winning initiative in China to restore ecosystems from mountains to coastal estuaries across the country.
Armed with billhooks, hammers and their bare hands, villagers in China's eastern Yunhe County are methodically clearing a series of abandoned hillside rice fields, many perched dramatically over a yawning valley.
These terraced paddies had long ago fell into disuse, a product of a strained rural economy. But villagers are aiming to make the land productive again by weeding out invasive plants and building walls to prevent soil erosion.
The work, which has been combined with a return to Earth-friendly traditional farming practices, is reviving Yunhe’s stunning hillside farms. And at the same time, it is attracting nature-hungry visitors, making the county a budding eco-tourism destination.
“With the restoration of the terraces and the development of tourism and homestays in recent years, some young people who left the village have returned,” says Wu Xiaofang, who runs a homestay with her husband. “The popularity of this place is growing.”
The transformation in Yunhe, high in the eastern province of Zhejiang, is supported by the Shan-Shui initiative, a hugely ambitious drive led by the Chinese government to restore ecosystems, from mountains to coastal estuaries, across the world’s most populous nation.
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has named the initiative, which comprises 75 large-scale projects, among its first 10 Global Restoration Flagships, an award designed to inspire and encourage restoration around the world.
The award underscores the key role China plays in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste. In December, China and Canada rallied nations behind a new global agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to halt and reverse the destruction of nature. The accord included a massively scaled-up restoration effort.
An integrated approach
Launched in 2016, the initiative takes a systematic approach to restoration. Projects dovetail with national land use plans, work at the landscape or watershed scale, including agricultural and urban areas as well as natural ecosystems, and seek to boost rural economies.
By enhancing ecosystems and the benefits they deliver, the projects promote the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including those on poverty eradication, climate change and biodiversity.
So far, 3.5 million hectares have been brought under restoration under the initiative, out of a 2030 target of restoring 12 million hectares. In all, the initiative is expected to create more than 3.2 million jobs and deliver benefits to some 360 million people. Critically endangered species that are benefitting include the Chinese sturgeon, birds like Baer’s pochard, and the Baishanzu fir, the world’s rarest conifer.
Tradition meets science
Several of the projects integrate scientific knowledge with traditional farming methods to make land use more sustainable.
About 100 km east of Yunhe, Xu Guanhong does not let pouring rain dampen his enthusiasm for how the fish swimming in his rice paddies mean that he does not need to treat his crop with either pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
Xu, a former schoolteacher, says he took over some idle land near the town of Qingtian several years ago and began experimenting with organic farming methods. Local farmers were sceptical, and Xu’s yields were unreliable in the first two seasons. But now he is seeing results that have caught the interest of his neighbours.
“Our ancestors were smart. They put fish in the rice paddies and let them eat pests and weeds,” Xu told a visiting United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) film crew, raindrops bouncing off his wide straw hat. “The faeces excreted by the fish provide nutrients for the rice. In my field, an ecological cycle is now underway without any fertilizer or pesticide.”
Liu Zhumei, a local farmer, says she has been adopting Xu’s methods, which also include monitoring water quality in rice paddies and installing equipment to maintain the level of dissolved oxygen.
“We didn't earn much before. But now, following these methods, we can earn as much as 60,700 yuan per acre,” Liu says. (10,000 Chinese yuan is about US$1,450.) “Consumers from other provinces also know that our fish here are pollution-free, so they sell very well.”
Restoring harmony
The Shan-Shui initiative is named after a traditional Chinese landscape painting style that depicts the harmony of land and water – a balance that human activities, including industry and agriculture, have often disturbed.
Luo Ming, a restoration expert at the Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Centre of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, says people should again recognize that they form a “community of life” with nature, and depend on it for their well-being.
“This traditional wisdom has existed for thousands of years,” Luo says. “Such a system is not only good for the environment but also greatly increases the benefits for local people. It attracts people who love the way of life in which people and nature live in symbiosis, making it a sustainable model.”
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
The UN General Assembly has declared the years 2021 through 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration.
This story was originally published by UNEP
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12 September 2022
United We Stand to Achieve Sustainable Development
The world today faces a future that is in peril. Our challenges have become more complex and interconnected, as we see the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, an uneven economic recovery, a climate emergency, growing inequalities, and an increase in conflicts globally. This year also marks a grim milestone, with over 100 million people forcibly displaced.
These events accompany increasing division in the community of nations which threatens to push the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further out of reach for the Global South.
Adding to these crises, rising food and energy prices driven by the conflict in Ukraine, could push 71 million people into poverty, according to UNDP. The Global South, typically comprised of countries in South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, was already grappling with economic issues now exacerbated by the triple planetary crisis.
With limited resources, high vulnerability, and low resilience, people in the Global South will bear the brunt of our inaction, on climate and elsewhere. Solely depending on external aid from the Global North or G7 countries cannot be the panacea. Here, countries of the Global South can empower themselves and combine efforts to achieve sustainable development.
Cooperating to catalyse change
In the face of global threats, international cooperation remains vital, as highlighted by the International Day for South-South Cooperation. South-South cooperation seeks to complement traditional development models by throwing light on the transformations needed to deliver on priorities, including the SDGs. It offers possible solutions from Global South to Global South.
Countries of the Global South have contributed to more than half of global economic growth in recent times. Intra-South trade is higher than ever, accounting for over a quarter of world trade. It is time to further leverage these partnerships in the development space.
We already saw this while many countries were trying to obtain COVID-19 vaccines. Citizens of low and middle-income countries faced systemic discrimination in the global COVID-19 response, leaving millions without access to vaccines, tests, and treatments. India sent over 254.4 million vaccine supplies to nations across the world, under Vaccine Maitri – a vaccine export initiative.
Likewise, China has supplied over 200 million doses of vaccines to the COVAX Facility, in addition to providing millions of dollars in medical supplies to countries in the Global South, including in Africa, throughout the pandemic.
Informing partnership models with Africa & China
To advance development priorities, partnerships need to be rooted in shared interests that can lead to shared gains, as seen in traditional development models and assistance from the Global North. This dynamic needs to be at the core of the China-Africa relationship as well.
China, an economic powerhouse, has the potential to advance development in the Global South, especially in Africa, by bringing its experience, expertise, and resources to bear, and its assistance must advance both its interests and those of the countries where it operates.
Investments in shared goals are reflected in efforts by China to improve public health in Africa, including in the construction of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Ethiopia, and in clean energy, through projects such as the Kafue Lower Gorge Power Station in Zambia.
China promises to invest US$60 billion cumulatively in Africa by 2035, directed at agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the digital economy. This is most welcome, and those planned investments must answer the needs of the local economies and societies.
What works in one country may not work elsewhere, but true collaboration allows for learning from mistakes and sharing successes. This is where the UN’s expertise can ensure cooperation is demand-driven, in line with local expectations and needs, national development priorities, and relevant international norms and standards.
Platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) can work to improve that essential partnership. This mechanism has identified shared priorities like climate change, agriculture/food systems, global health, and energy security, among others, between China and Africa.
For the first time in FOCAC’s history and with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, the UN in China is engaged as a strategic partner in this bilateral mechanism between China and Africa. The UN in China is continuing similar efforts in close consultation with relevant counterparts, including the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
For The Rockefeller Foundation, it is a nod to its legacy in China dating back to 1914, rooted in redesigning medical education to improve healthcare and its current priorities to advance Global South collaboration, especially in public health, food, and clean energy access—all global public goods.
Beyond the Global South: Action Together
With less than eight years to achieve the SDGs, truly international cooperation is our only hope. Emerging trends in technology and innovation can get us there, along with enhanced South-South cooperation efforts. But doing so requires us to “flip the orthodoxy”, as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed advised.
The Ebola crisis is an example of where global cooperation, including South-South cooperation, enabled Sierra Leone to defeat the disease’s spread, notably through a brigade of 461 health workers sent to Sierra Leone to support their overburdened system. Later, other countries made similar efforts to support Sierra Leone and nearby countries, such as Guinea and Liberia. This example shows the potential of South-South cooperation, but also triangular cooperation and North-South partnerships. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are another mechanism for financing and capacity building.
This can be seen in Kenya, where the Government and the UN System convened an SDG Partnership Platform with companies such as Philips, Huawei, Safaricom, GSK, and Merck. The outcomes include a downward trend of maternal and child mortality in some of the country’s most remote regions. Similar PPPs can hold promise in unlocking global progress on the SDGs.
Today, while we face a more volatile world, the spirit of South-South cooperation shows a core value that we need: solidarity. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The last two years have demonstrated a simple but brutal truth - if we leave anyone behind, we leave everyone behind”.
Deepali Khanna is Vice-President of the Asia Region Office at The Rockefeller Foundation. Siddharth Chatterjee is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.
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10 May 2022
UNFPA supports midwifery training for local health providers in Qinghai and Shanxi
“I hope to deliver my second baby here,” says a new mother, who just had her first newborn safely at the Yushu County People’s Hospital, Qinghai province of west China.
Gengsong Daizhong is a Tibetan doctor from the hospital. She is confident that more local women will be willing to have their babies here, thanks to the advancement of their midwifery skills.
Since 2016, China has been providing competency-based midwifery education and training to health workers across the country with the support of UNFPA. Since midwifery is not yet an independent profession but carried out by doctors and nurses in China, the national training offers a critical opportunity to enhance the midwifery skills of health workers in line with the global standards for midwifery set by the International Confederation of Midwifery.
Dr. Gengsong was a participant of the standardized training programme in 2020. She was supported by a project delivered by China Family Planning Association in partnership with UNFPA and the National Health Commission and supported by the Government of Denmark, to improve sexual and reproductive health among vulnerable populations, including ethnic minorities, in Qinghai and Shanxi provinces.
With her newly acquired midwifery skills, Dr. Gengsong is now able to apply the Doula mode of delivery to relieve the anxiety of women during childbirth.
“As the Doula method helps to speed up the process and reduces the risk of severe tearing and postpartum infection, we are receiving very positive feedback from the new mothers.”
A local sexual and reproductive health service provider, Ms. Sun Daomin, participated in the national midwifery training in late 2021. Building on her decades of midwifery experience at the township health center, Sun is supporting the local health facilities in improving their information and services on human-centered, family planning and maternal and child health.
“Postpartum contraception is an essential part of midwifery,” says Sun, as she learned about the different contraceptive choices available to a woman after giving birth. She is expected to visit the villages and share her knowledge on postnatal health management with field health workers, as the COVID-19 situation improves.
From 2020-2021, UNFPA facilitated Dr. Gengsong Daizhong, Ms. Sun Daomin and fifteen other health providers from Qinghai and Shanxi provinces to participate in the 12-week standardized midwifery training programme offered by certified trainers from the Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association.
The training covers theoretical and practical learning on midwifery skills and technologies during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. It highlights the importance of human-centered care and health education and information throughout the whole process.
Beyond the training of individual health workers, UNFPA is supporting the development of midwifery training bases in health facilities in less developed regions, including the Qinghai Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital. This will ensure that, in the future, midwifery training is available to more health workers in Qinghai and nationwide.
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22 April 2022
Challenging the inequalities people living with HIV/AIDS face
An anxious crowd and deafening silence. People with masks are being called into a clinic cube with an ambiguous sign reading “Immune Deficiency.” This ten-square metre safe house is where people living with HIV meet. As a UN Volunteer Programme Assistant with UNAIDS in China, Weng Huiling shares their stories and fights for their rights.
Weng provides strategic information, advocacy and technical support to coordinate stakeholders to deliver comprehensive life-saving HIV service. She focuses on technical and administrative support to programmes and coordinates partners from the Government, private sector and local communities.
"I have been devoted to the field of HIV/AIDS for years, and UNAIDS has helped broaden my scope to go beyond medical care. My UN Volunteer assignment allowed me to participate in changing the underlying institutional inequality that burdens people living with HIV," she explains.
"Medical care is no longer the bottleneck in HIV response. What we need is accessible and integrated services, community leadership, an evidence-based approach and eradication of the profound inequality. Ending AIDS is possible, if we work together, like with COVID-19." - Weng Huiling, UN Volunteer Programme Assistant with UNAIDS China
In 2021, Weng joined an HIV online prevention intervention study and helped to collect data from key population group discussions and literature reviews. She also used her clinical knowledge to contribute to a cost-effective study on antiretroviral treatment to inform governmental policy prioritization. "I am glad that I could help strategic and technical programme management and participate in discussions on effective, evidence-informed and targeted HIV response," she adds.
"Despite remarkable progress in diagnosis and treatment, people living with HIV are still shackled by discrimination and stigmatization, which can only be overcome by collective inclusiveness. Our goal is to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030." - Weng Huiling
With UNAIDS, Weng has been able to tell the untold. During this year’s Zero Discrimination Day campaign in March, she led five poster exhibition tours and over ten hours of group discussion for more than 60 visitors from UN agencies, schools and universities, and community-based organizations.
She also worked on connecting funding opportunities and the Beijing LGBT Centre for a peer group programme on HIV. The programme, which aims to provide People Living with HIV with group consultations and educational programmes, is now being implemented with an estimated 1,000 influenced population.
"I was so impressed by the five portraits of people living with HIV. Their stories touched my heart. Our mindset towards people living with HIV, sex education and fragile population needs to be revolutionized." -Rita, a visiting student from Renmin University of China
UNAIDS plays a pivotal role in mobilizing China’s political, technical and financial resources through South-South Cooperation and China-Africa Collaboration.
Accordingly, at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting in late 2021, Weng organized a virtual dialogue on China-Africa Health Cooperation, jointly hosted by UNAIDS and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She drafted outcome documents that served for FOCAC in November, emphasizing a joint commitment to local production and multilateral cooperation.
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22 April 2022
UN Volunteers ease accessibility to sexual and reproductive health
With an objective to eradicate poverty and achieve universal access in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), UNFPA, National Health Commission (NHC), and China Family Planning Association (CFPA) launched a 3-year project. This project aims to improve the SRHR among vulnerable populations in Qinghai and Shanxi Provinces in China.
The project mainly targets women and young people of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups such as those below the poverty line, rural residents, and persons with disabilities. Among this group are the ones in three project sites at an altitude of over 4000 meters including Yushu City, which was heavily impacted by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2010.
Aimin, a national UN Volunteer Project Coordinator, has worked on this project since 2019. She supports programme management in planning, management, reporting, and coordination with various stakeholders.
One aspect of the project aims to improve the capacity of local service providers – including midwives – so that local women and young people can access better information and quality health services.
"I am now more confident with my skills for providing quality care, and more women are willing to deliver in our hospital." - Cairen Sangji, one of the nine midwives who received a 3-month standardized midwifery training at Huaxi Medical University in 2020
So far, over 600 local service providers, health workers, and teachers have benefited from the capacity building and skill development training. After going back to their communities, these skills are not only empowering midwives but also making maternity care safe and respectful.
Aimin and her colleagues discovered that young people in project sites shared similar needs for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) but had limited access. Many factors contributed to this limitation – scarcely qualified teachers, less awareness, and cultural norms influenced people’s attitudes towards CSE.
Last year, over 1000 students who attended the CSE courses learned about the different aspects of sexual education – how to develop respectful social and sexual relationships, and where to turn for more information. It was a first for many – adults and adolescents – in Shanxi Province's Yushu and Yonghe project sites to get an education in CSE and hear experiences through seminars, workshops, and learning sessions.
Coming from an under-developed area in a remote province of Mongolia, Aimin feels fortunate to participate in a project that brings healthier living conditions for all. She is motivated to make a difference in people's lives, especially the ones who are coming from a similar background as her.
"Aimin has demonstrated a high level of initiative, organizational ability, and flexibility. She is a confident and direct communicator.” - WEN Hua, Programme Specialist, UNFPA
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17 April 2024
Meet the women closing the digital divide in rural China
Digital technology has immense transformative potential. Just think of the possibilities unlocked by the click of a mouse or a tap on a screen: banking, education, social media and much more.But around the world, rural women have disproportionately limited access to this technology. This pervasive digital divide is part of the reason education and economic independence remain out of reach for many women.Investing in women's digital empowerment and closing this divide can foster prosperity not just for them, but for entire communities. These three remarkable rural women revitalizing their villages in central China’s picturesque Hunan Province are living proof of this.Building a thriving rural businessThirty-five-year-old Ma Qinyan once pursued a career as an architectural designer in the southeastern city of Shenzhen. But she always harboured a desire to contribute to the prosperity of her native village in Hunan.Spotting a business opportunity in her region’s renowned spicy cuisine, Qinyan made the bold decision to return to her rural roots and start a chili sauce business. At first, her customer base was smaller than she had hoped.That's when she learned about Women Up, a training initiative supported by IFAD and the Youcheng Foundation focused on rural women's economic empowerment. Qinyan decided to take a chance and signed up for classes in digital literacy and entrepreneurship.Armed with new skills, she started using e-commerce and livestreaming to promote her products. Now her business is thriving – and by passing on what she has learned to her fellow villagers, she’s cultivating a new generation of digitally empowered rural women."I refuse to let my villagers down. I want to be a beacon of hope for them," says Qinyan. Empowering future generationsThe Women Up initiative was part of the broader Hunan Rural Revitalization Demonstration Project, which is increasing economic resilience across the province. In particular, the project aims to expand opportunities for rural youth and women.Zhang Jinyou knows all too well what it feels like to lack these. Born into a difficult financial situation exacerbated by her mother's disability, Jinyou eventually dropped out of high school to support her family.Now a 41-year-old mother of two, she’s determined to break the cycle of hardship that once defined her life.Like Qinyan, Jinyou participated in Women Up’s training and gained a variety of digital skills, including broadcasting and online finance. Her sense of hope and purpose renewed, she decided to begin a career in e-commerce.Today, Jinyou doesn’t just sell chili peppers and grapes for a local company via livestreaming – she is also in the process of establishing her own e-commerce business. Her children are in school and have a bright future ahead of them in an economically revitalized village.“E-commerce was a daunting challenge. But this training reignited my optimism and provided me with the resilience to persevere,” says Jinyou. Age is just a numberMany people associate digital technology and social media with younger generations. Long Yuan'ai is proving them wrong.Yuan’ai, 61, had already retired from her job at a local insurance company when she came across Women Up. But she didn’t let her age stop her from taking part – instead, she jumped at the opportunity to learn a new set of skills.Today, Yuan’ai is using her newfound digital literacy to support a career in e-commerce. She’s even beating young users of Douyin – the equivalent of TikTok in China – at their own game.Drawing on her expertise in kiwi farming, she launched an agriculture-themed Douyin page that gained thousands of followers in just two months. Now the kiwi farms of Hunan are reaching screens across China, boosting sales and uplifting the community she loves."For me, age is never an excuse to halt progress," says Yuan'ai. Gender inequality is a major obstacle to sustainable, inclusive rural development. That's why IFAD works across the world to eliminate it in all its forms – and in our interconnected modern world, it is essential that this include the digital divide.In rural China, Qinyan, Jinyou and Yuan’ai are demonstrating what this looks like: digitally empowered women of all ages, forging their own paths and spearheading their communities’ development.This story was originally published by IFAD China
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12 April 2024
Keep Breathing, Keep Smiling: A UN Diplomats Approach to Health
Siddharth Chatterjee wears a grey checkered suit with a badge on his chest, with a blue United Nations flag and a red Chinese flag, the two flags interlocked and edged in gold, a must-have accessory for his interviews.Siddharth Chatterjee is from India and has worked in the UN system for more than twenty-five years, having been posted to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya, Iraq, Indonesia, Somalia, South Sudan and other countries and regions. This year is also his fourth as UN Resident Coordinator in China. At the UN office in Liangmaqiao, Beijing, Siddharth Chatterjee is a fitness enthusiast. In between work, he spreads out a yoga mat on the floor, doing breathing, headstands and abdominal exercises. On the social media platforms of X, Weibo and WeChat moments, he also often shares his workout routine. He quoted Linda Fried, dean of Columbia University's School of Public Health, who said that exercise is the best thing we can find, other than magic, to use to fight ageing. He also shared a picture of himself working out at the gym - he completed 55 pull-ups plus 100 push-ups in three minutes and 12 seconds. This kind of intensity may not even be achievable for many twenty-somethings in Beijing.The theme of World Health Day 2024 is "My Health, My Right". "Health" and "exercise" are two mottos Siddharth Chatterjee lives by, and he hopes to spread his ideas to the people of China through the work of the UN in China. My Health, My RightIn January 2021, Mr. Chatterjee travelled from Kenya to China to serve as the UN Resident Coordinator in China. When he landed in Guangzhou, China, COVID-19 was raging, and Chatterjee, along with other foreign visitors arriving in China, underwent a 21-day quarantine. It was his first quarantine, and during that time, he insisted on working out in his room, combining breathing and yoga routines, even clocking an average of 20,000 steps a day to keep his mind and body sharp.China's strict and orderly entry inspection measures left a great first impression on him, and after his quarantine ended, Siddharth Chatterjee wrote down his observations, which were published in Forbes Africa. "I think what the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the world is a wake-up call about how vulnerable we humans are and how vulnerable our health systems are." As it is, more than 100 million people around the world are pushed back into poverty because of out-of-pocket health shocks annually. From his experience in responding to COVID-19, Chatterjee recognizes that a public health crisis will be devastating to a country’s economy, employment, and national income. On the contrary, the realization of health for all requires not only support from the national government, but also individual attention and investment in health. Chatterjee is impressed by China's progress in public health over the past decades. In the 1960s, life expectancy in China was 51 years, but now it is 78 years. Now, China's basic health insurance coverage has stabilized at over 95%. He even praised China's "barefoot doctor" system in the 1960s and 1970s, which enabled ordinary people to have access to certain medical resources in a special era.Indeed, behind this leap forward, China also faces the challenge of major chronic diseases, with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes plaguing hundreds of millions of Chinese people, with 1.34-1.8 million people dying each year from smoking-related illnesses. Many of these chronic diseases are related to unhealthy lifestyles. According to Chatterjee, contemporary China also needs a new "barefoot doctor" - an online clinic that, with the help of new medical technologies, can travel from home to home, so that all people can get information and advice on health and adopt healthy lifestyles. Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all UN Member States for 2030, the third goal is good health and well-being, including decreasing communicable diseases and achieving universal health coverage. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and State Council also issued the "Healthy China 2030" plan in 2016. China's achievements in the field of public health also significantly impact the global achievement of the SDGs, as China accounts for one-fifth of the world's population.Health problems that are not supported by the healthcare system can push a family back into poverty, and if this happens frequently, it can cause major problems for the economic development of a country's human capital. Years of postings around the world have also deepened Chatterjee’s understanding of health.He hopes that one day, the remaining 5% of China's population without coverage will join those with basic health insurance and will no longer have to suffer financially from illness. The proposal of "Healthy China 2030" is also considered crucial by Siddharth Chatterjee: "Health is closely related to economic development, social progress, and all mankind."Losing 25 kilograms, self-discipline brings a turnaroundAs an advocate of a healthy lifestyle, four years ago, Siddharth Chatterjee's lifestyle was not ideal. At that time, he was working as UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, and unlike his trim and tight physique now, he weighed 85 kilograms at that time. He caught a cold every year and often felt weak, tired and unable to get enough sleep. He had been suffering from high cholesterol for the past 15 years, had pre-diabetes, and had a blood pressure of 160/90. Although he had been active in sports, running and fitness, he realized that it was his lack of moderation in eating and drinking that was affecting his health.One day in March 2020, on his way back to Kenya from UN Headquarters in New York, Chatterjee looked at himself and couldn't help but think, "What have I done to my life? I don't feel very good, always in a state of anxiety." Lifestyle changes were imminent. He began breathing exercises combined with cold showers, fasting and high-intensity interval training.Siddharth Chatterjee stuck with it and brought about a complete transformation in his life. For four years, he ate only one meal a day. Every three months, he would go on a three-day water fast, during which he would not eat anything and would only be able to drink water. At six-month intervals, he would go on another five-day water fast. "These changes not only reshaped my metabolic system, but also gave me abundant energy and higher awareness, bringing true spiritual, physical and emotional balance to my life." Siddharth Chatterjee said.After these changes, he managed to drop his weight to 60 kilograms, has not contracted a new infection, and the symptoms of the disease that once plagued him have not reappeared. Moving to Beijing was also a great opportunity, as Chatterjee found the air quality to be very good, allowing him to get out and exercise more often.He has also benefited from the traditional Indian practice of Pranayam, combined with the Chinese practice of Qigong. If you follow Chatterjee on his social media platforms, you will find that he often shares photos of himself practising yoga. In the office, at home, or even on the frozen waters of Beijing, Chatterjee can be seen in the lotus position, focusing on his breath or doing breathing exercises. By adjusting one’s breathing, it is said that a person can influence the nervous system, relieving mental stress, and reducing anxiety. "Breathing is like a superpower that you have, and by learning to control your breath, you can actually learn to control your senses." In the midst of a busy schedule, breathing is often Chatterjee’s most effective way of relieving stress. It doesn't require a gym, it doesn't require any special venue, it can be started anytime, anywhere.Chatterjee feels that the Sanskrit word for breathing exercises, "Pranayama," has a lot in common with the Chinese word “Qi”. Yogis use a variety of breathing techniques to master and prolong "Prana", the life-giving force or energy. In traditional Chinese culture, "Qi" is also associated with the flow of the universe and life energy, and through the nourishment of the breath, it can also bring people to the realm of harmony. Despite the different cultural contexts, both Qi and Pranayama emphasize the importance of the breath in life and health, and its potential to promote harmony, peace, and wellness."Keep Breathing, Keep Smiling"Every morning, Siddharth Chatterjee’s day begins with a 30-minute breathing session, followed by 15 minutes of high-intensity interval training, then into the sauna for 20 minutes before spending five minutes in a cold bath or shower. The self-discipline has been the same for four years. After completing this series of moves, he would start his day. During the day, in between work, he would also take time to do some breathing exercises in his office and some yoga postures. Every evening, when he finished his work, if he had no other social engagements, Siddharth Chatterjee would go home and have dinner with his son. This is his only meal of the day. Despite his busy work schedule, Siddharth Chatterjee finds every day very fulfilling and enjoyable. "That's why I say that when you reach good health, you start to achieve a balance of spirit, body and mind in your life."On social platforms, Siddharth Chatterjee looks like a fitness KOL outside of his role as UN Resident Coordinator. He shares bits and pieces of his exercise, promotes his lifestyle, and lists the benefits and principles of each exercise in detail. He also takes time out of his busy schedule to teach others about breathing and wellness. So far, he has already taught nearly 700 people.He recorded a video of himself walking to the gym on a snowy Beijing street in December 2023. The snowflakes are still in the air, and Siddharth Chatterjee looks relaxed in his athletic short sleeves. "Remember, the cold is your best friend, don't be afraid of the cold," Siddharth Chatterjee said with a smile as he faced the camera.In Siddharth Chatterjee's social media posts, you can see him practising breathing bare-chested outdoors in minus-11°C snow, doing headstands in a hotel in Sanya and jogging outdoors in Beijing. At least three times a day, he performs a headstand for five minutes at a time, supporting his body weight with his head and forearms and stretching his legs toward the ceiling. This anti-gravity asana is said to be good for stretching the spine, but also for getting the blood flowing to the head and improving circulation throughout the body.On January 19 this year, Chatterjee ended a five-day water fast and shared his journey on social media. For five days, he drank only water and black tea, while other exercises, breathing exercises, saunas and routines he had been following remained the same. In his tweets, he explained the rationale for the fast - intermittent fasting, which is said to cause the body to alternate between eating and prolonged fasting, shifting from a reliance on glucose to increased fat burning and ketogenesis - and in one breath, listed ten reported benefits of fasting - including lower levels of inflammation, increased insulin sensitivity, enhanced immune response, weight loss, improved mental focus, and more.At the beginning of the post documenting the fast, Chatterjee wrote: "Our state of health and well-being is a personal choice. Remember, health is not something we can buy; however, it can be a very valuable savings account for the future." More than once, he reiterated the significance of personal health to society. After every tweet related to exercise and health, Siddharth Chatterjee always has a classic closing line: Keep breathing. Keep smiling. This is indeed the credo he has been adhering to and practising.This piece was originally published by Trends Health in Chinese
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05 April 2024
UN-Habitat host the China Future Cities Council Meeting 2024
Shaoxing, China, 20 March 2024 - UN-Habitat convened a significant two-day meeting on March 20 and 21, gathering over 120 delegates from city governments, enterprises, academic institutions, and media outlets. Hosted in the vibrant Keqiao District of Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the event showcased the collaborative efforts towards advancing sustainable urban development.The meeting was held under the support of local companies in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City. Shaoxing City, a recipient of the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2008, served as an apt backdrop for this gathering of forward-thinking minds.In his opening remarks, Bruno Dercon, Officer-in-Charge of UN-Habitat ROAP, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasizing the significance of the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council (CFCC) as a pivotal platform bridging private sectors and UN-Habitat's mission. He underscored the importance of smart cities as a focal point of UN-Habitat's endeavours in collaboration with Member States. Mr. Zhang Zhenshan, UN-Habitat Habitat Programme Manager for China, recognized the work of the CFCC over the past four years and expressed his gratitude to the members and partners of CFCC, in particular, Vanke Foundation, Xinchao Media Group and iSoftStone Smart Technology Co., Ltd for their generous support.Mr. Chen Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC's Keqiao District Committee of Shaoxing City, emphasized the important role of cities in promoting high-quality development. He called for the collaboration of academics, experts, and private sectors to explore digital transformation and smart city development for the future sustainable development of Keqiao District.Mr. Wang Shi, the new chair of CFCC and Chairman of the Vanke Foundation, shared insights gleaned from his extensive experience in sustainable urban development. He articulated his vision for an urban future characterized by sustainability and innovation, aligning with CFCC's objectives. Highlighting the pivotal role of digital solutions in driving green transformation, Mr. Chen Jun, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with other local entrepreneurs, showcased innovative applications enhancing sustainable urban development.Reflecting on CFCC's achievements in 2023, Mr. Ying Sheng, National Officer of the UN-Habitat China Office, provided an overview of the council's activities and the flagship report, "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2023 (FCAO 2023): Digital Innovations Empower Urban Net Zero Carbon Transition". Representatives from city governments and tech companies shared impactful case studies featured in the FCAO 2023 report.The Roundtable Dialogues, centred around themes of "Future Cities", "Future Technologies", and "Sustainable Urban Future", facilitated robust discussions among experts spanning urban planning, energy, transportation, waste management, environmental sustainability, and digital technologies.Following the main forum, the Kick-Off Meeting of "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2024: Digital Urban Governance" marked a significant milestone for CFCC 2024. Experts from esteemed institutions such as Shanghai Jiaotong University, CAICT, and Ant Group offered preliminary insights into the forthcoming flagship report. Professionals from ISSTech Corp, CityDO Group, and the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute contributed valuable perspectives to the report's outline.Anticipation surrounds the release of the fourth Future Cities Advisory Outlook report, slated to debut by the end of 2024 during the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12). This eagerly awaited publication promises to offer invaluable insights into digital urban governance, shaping the trajectory of sustainable urban development globally.
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08 April 2024
Delivering as One, a UN in China conversation presented by Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee: Episode 19 with Meng Liu, Head of UN Global Compact China Office
In this episode of the UN in China podcast, UN Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee sits down with Ms. Meng Liu, Head of the UN Global Compact China Office.Ms. Liu, a Chinese national, grew up with a childhood dream to work for the United Nations. As part of the generation that emerged in the 21st century with a global outlook and experiences, Ms. Liu emphasized that she and her generation have benefitted from the positive effects of the reform and opening up policy of China. Inspired by her reading during elementary school of a young student’s experience in the UN system, her interest in international affairs had already been sparked prior to her studies at the University of San Francisco in the United States. Following her gaining a Master’s degree in International and Development Economics, she first joined the UN as an intern back in 2007 for the Office of the High Representative for the Least Development Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States at headquarters in New York, before joining the UN Global Compact. In 2017, she then joined the UN family in China as Head of Office for the UN Global Compact.“That really triggered my strong interest to pursue a career focusing as an international civil servant”In this episode, Ms. Liu outlines the history and work of the UN Global Compact. First announced in 1999 at the World Economic Forum by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. Calling on companies to align strategies and operations with its Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, the UN Global Compact has more than 24,000 participants— including around 1,000 Chinese companies with an annual membership growth of over 25% in China during recent years. During the conversation, Ms. Liu highlighted the UN Global Compact’s efforts in China, specifically the launch of its China Strategy back in 2022. She elaborated on the seven key areas the Global Compact has been working with companies in China to advance the 2030 Agenda and emphasized the importance of creating synergies between China’s development priorities and broader UN goals. She believes delivering as one is a universal philosophy, which not only benefits the UN system, but could benefit the whole world in order to solve our common challenges. Together with the Resident Coordinator, the two discuss other challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, as well as the UN Global Compact’s work to leave no one behind and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals as part of the UN system in China. Meng Liu Ms. Meng Liu is the Head of Liaison Office in China of the United Nations Global Compact. She joined the United Nations Headquarters in 2007. Previously, Ms. Liu worked for the Asia Foundation in San Francisco and the World Resources Institute in Washington, DC. She was a fellow on Asian public policy with Harvard Kennedy School, and the book author of “Responsibility Changes the World-UN Global Compact Leading Business Revolution Worldwide”. In 2015, Ms. Liu was honoured as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum and nominated as YGL Chair for China for 2021-2023. She has been a member of the Global Future Council on Frontier Risks since 2020. In 2021, Ms. Liu was recognized as “One of the Top Ten Women from China with brand impact”.Siddharth Chatterjee Siddharth Chatterjee took office as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China on 16 January 2021 and is the designated representative of - and reports to - the UN Secretary-General. He presented his letter of credence to the President of China on 14 April 2021.Mr. Chatterjee has more than 25 years of experience in international cooperation, sustainable development, humanitarian coordination and peace and security in the United Nations and the Red Cross movement. He has served in many fragile and war-torn countries all over the world.A 3 times TEDx speaker, he is a regular opinion contributor on humanitarian and development issues for a range of journals, which includes Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Huffington Post, Forbes, CNN, Al Jazeera, the Guardian and, as of late, has also published in mainstream Chinese journals.Mr. Chatterjee holds a master’s degree in public policy from Princeton University in the United States of America.
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22 March 2024
Delivering as One, a UN in China conversation presented by Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee: Episode 18 with Zhang Zhenshan, UN-Habitat Programme Manager for China
For users in mainland China, please click this linkIn this episode of the UN in China podcast, UN Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee sits down with Mr. Zhang Zhenshan, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Programme Manager for China.Mr. Zhang, a Chinese national, was born in Hebei province, where he attended primary and secondary school. Afterwards, he enrolled at the then Harbin Architecture and Engineering College in 1979, where he majored in industrial and civil engineering. After graduating from university in 1983, Mr. Zhang moved on to work for the Ministry of Construction of China. He later studied English in his spare time in preparation for his assignment within the Ministry’s international cooperation department. Here, he worked closely with UN-Habitat’s information office in Beijing, after which he began a role in 1996 as the Deputy Representative of the Chinese Permanent Mission to UN-Habitat in Kenya. He later joined UN-Habitat in 2002 as a Logistics Officer based in Iraq and then moved on to a variety of other roles before eventually joining the UN family in China as UN-Habitat Programme Manager for China, a role he has served in since 2009."We would like to work together with other UN agencies to focus on low-carbon development,"In this episode, Mr. Zhang outlines the mission and work of UN-Habitat. Mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, UN-Habitat is the focal point for urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works in cooperation with partners, stakeholders and urban actors to provide its expertise in areas such as public spaces, smart cities and waste management in order to implement the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11. During the conversation, Mr. Zhang highlighted UN-Habitat’s work in China to advise policymakers, regional and local governments and other partners such as universities, planning and research institutes on urban issues, and its cooperation with other UN entities, including the World Health Organization and the UN Children’s Fund. Together with the Resident Coordinator, the two discuss other challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, as well as UN-Habitat’s work to leave no one behind and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of the UN system in China. Zhang Zhenshan Mr. Zhang Zhenshan boasts a distinguished career marked by extensive experience in urban development and international collaboration. He commenced his professional journey in the urban construction department, general office, and foreign affairs department of the Ministry of Construction of the People's Republic of China (now the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development).From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Zhang served as the Deputy Representative of the Chinese Permanent Mission to UN-Habitat. In this role, he facilitated collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Government of China.Mr. Zhang worked for UN-Habitat from 2002 to 2004, serving as the Logistics Officer of the UN-Habitat Settlement Rehabilitation Programme in Erbil, Iraq. Following, he served as the independent consultant for the UN-Habitat and Asian Development Bank, respectively. Then, Mr. Zhang served as the Chief Technical Advisor for the UN-Habitat Water for Asian Cities Programme from 2005 to 2009. During this period, he was responsible for multi-initiatives, including the Comprehensive Improvement in Qinhuai River Environment Programme in Nanjing City and the Mekong Water and Sanitation Initiative. Since 2009, Mr. Zhang has served as the UN-Habitat Programme Manager for China for liaising between UN-Habitat and the Government of China. Mr. Zhang is a professional on sustainable urban development and international exchange, focusing on Green and low Carbon Urban Development, Cities for Climate Change, Improving Urban Public Spaces, Urban Regeneration, City Prosperity Initiative, Water and Sanitation, Smart City, and Risk Reduction & Rehabilitation. Siddharth Chatterjee Siddharth Chatterjee took office as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China on 16 January 2021 and is the designated representative of - and reports to - the UN Secretary-General. He presented his letter of credence to the President of China on 14 April 2021.Mr. Chatterjee has more than 25 years of experience in international cooperation, sustainable development, humanitarian coordination and peace and security in the United Nations and the Red Cross movement. He has served in many fragile and war-torn countries all over the world.A 3 times TEDx speaker, he is a regular opinion contributor on humanitarian and development issues for a range of journals, which includes Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Huffington Post, Forbes, CNN, Al Jazeera, the Guardian and, as of late, has also published in mainstream Chinese journals.Mr. Chatterjee holds a master’s degree in public policy from Princeton University in the United States of America.
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Press Release
30 November 2023
Common ground for global cooperation on drought resilience builds at Beijing seminar
Recent drought events have been unprecedented in frequency and severity, with far-reaching economic, social and environmental impacts for all sectors of society. The consequences and duration of such droughts are further aggravated by increasing climate change, affecting areas not previously impacted.
As a global response to drought, on 7 November 2022, at COP27, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain and President Macky Sall of Senegal, along with leaders from over 30 countries and 20 organizations, with the support of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, launched the IDRA.
His Excellency Mr. Rafael Dezcallar de Mazarredo, Ambassador of Spain to China, said, “I would like to highlight that one of the two co-founders of IDRA is an African country, Senegal, together with an European one, Spain. IDRA wants to go beyond conventional divisions and mobilize global support for a global problem”.
The seminar sought to bring focus to the IDRA as a collaborative platform which aims to catalyse momentum and action that supports countries, cities, and communities to go beyond disaster responses and reduce vulnerability to droughts by mainstreaming preparedness and adaptation measures.
His Excellency Mr. Ibragima Sory Sylla, Ambassador of Senegal to China, said, “I would like to reaffirm my Government's commitment to work hand in hand with all stakeholders, including Spain, UN, African countries and Chinese authorities to promote IDRA in the hope that it will expand for the common good of humanity.”
The seminar aimed to promote the IDRA in China, find shared priorities for cooperation to build drought resilience globally, and encourage collaboration with the Government of China and other relevant stakeholders, including universities, research institutes and the private sector.
Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, said, “Let this event be a first step along the path of IDRA becoming an important global initiative that supports locally driven, scalable solutions to build drought resilience and put us on a path to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
During the seminar, representatives from the Government of China, including the Ministry of Water Resources and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and other sectors of society raised the country’s drought policies and actions, with the Kubuqi Ecological Restoration Project being one example.
Mr. Hao Zhao, Director-General, Department of International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Exchange Center, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China, said, “Our ministry stands ready to work with foreign countries, UN agencies, and water-related international organizations to discuss good measures and share experience on drought relief, as well as seek cooperation and development, and jointly promote the implementation of the water-related goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,”
As no country, rich or poor, is immune to drought, and its devastating impacts trigger crises that frequently extend across borders and continents, keynote speakers at the seminar emphasized the need for international cooperation and multilateral responses to build drought resilience for all.
During a panel discussion at the seminar, attendees were also able to exchange their respective experiences on issues relating to drought resilience while offering their assessments on how to best take the IDRA forward.
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For further information, please contact:
Ms. Louise Xi LI, Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China, Tel: +8610-85320725, Email: xi.li@un.org
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Press Release
03 December 2023
Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities with an Extraordinary Theatrical Journey: "Reversing the Future"
The event featured the ground-breaking performance of “Reversing the Future”, China’s first inclusive play co-produced by the Beijing Happy Inclusion Social Work Center and The Pleasure Troupe. It humorously engaged the audience around disability inclusion, while featuring a cast with visual, hearing and physical disabilities. The play challenged stereotypes about disability through a post-nuclear war courtroom trial with enhanced “human augmentation” technology. Following the performance, a high-level panel discussion took place, exploring the creative concepts behind the play and discussing the issues of accessibility, inclusion, equal participation, law enforcement, and the role of technology. The panel consisted of six distinguished participants, including the drama producer, lead actors, representatives from the UN, organizations of persons with disabilities, and the private sector. Simultaneously, the photo exhibition "Beyond the ‘disability’ label, we are all wonderfully ordinary!" was unveiled. Curated jointly by UNESCO and UNFPA, this exhibition aimed to challenge stereotypes and showcase the diverse abilities of individuals with disabilities across various professions and life scenarios. “Tonight’s theatrical performance and photo exhibition showcase the capabilities and creativity of persons with disabilities…By giving voice to the disability community, arts and culture can spark conversation and social transformation.” said UN Resident Coordinator in China, Siddharth Chatterjee, in his video remarks. In his opening remarks, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Regional Office for East-Asia underscored that, “On this International Day, let the spirit of this inclusive performance motivate us to rededicate ourselves to "unity in action." Let it compel us to tear down remaining barriers to inclusion and create a world where all persons, in their wondrous diversity, are valued and included.” Zuogeng LIU, Executive Vice President of Phoenix Media Group, highlighted the responsibility of using media tools to call on society as a whole to pay attention to, respect, and include persons with disabilities. The aim is to ensure equal opportunities for everyone in the process of social development. Held at the Phoenix Media Center, the event saw the participation of more than 100 representatives from key government institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector. The online recap of the event received widespread engagement and participation.The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated annually on December 3 since its declaration by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The day aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development, while increasing awareness of their situation in political, social, economic, and cultural life.The 2023 celebration marks the eighth joint observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities since the establishment of the multi-stakeholder UN Theme Group on Disability in China. Chaired by UNESCO, the UNTGD brings together 160 members from UN agencies and civil society for dialogue and advocacy on the rights of persons with disabilities. In the next two years, UNESCO, UNFPA, and ILO will work together to implement the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) in China with support from the UN Resident Coordinator Office, to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are fully respected, protected, and fulfilled, and to address issues such as accessibility, education, employment, sexual and reproductive health needs and services. ---For more information on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023, please visit: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/events/2023-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-idpdVisit the photo exhibition "Beyond the ‘disability’ label, we are all wonderfully ordinary!": https://china.unfpa.org/en/slideshow/international-day-persons-disabilties-photo-exhibitionFor more information on the United Nations China International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023, please contact:Qingyi Zeng, National Professional Officer, UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia q.zeng@unesco.orgWen Hua, Programme Specialist, UNFPA China Office, wen@unfpa.org
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Press Release
01 December 2023
UN Agencies Collaborate with Chinese Enterprises to Enhance Capacity for Sustainable Procurement
The capacity-building workshop was hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the China International Centre for Economic & Technical Exchanges of the Ministry of Commerce and Project Management Office of Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building and Supporting Service Programme on Sustainable Procurement of UN/International Organisations (hereafter referred as ‘Sustainable Procurement Project’). As part of the Sustainable Procurement Project, this capacity-building workshop aimed to support Chinese suppliers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-owned businesses (WOBs) to understand sustainable procurement standards and align with international best practices.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Anne-Claire Howard, Director of the UNOPS Procurement Group introduced the participation of Chinese suppliers in UN procurements, “China was the 15th largest supplier country with a total procurement amount of 501 million dollars (in 2022). Over 10,000 suppliers in China have registered on the United Nations Global Marketplace, the official procurement portal in the United Nations system.”
The workshop also marks an important milestone for Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement (DRiVE), a supplier sustainability programme launched in 2018 driven by UNOPS’ commitment to sustainability and risk management in procurement. Through vendor assessment, inspection and corrective action planning, DRiVE ensures that UNOPS vendors operate responsibly and in accordance with high standards of integrity.
In early 2023, the initiative began a pilot in China with 13 UNOPS LTA suppliers. Through data collection, assessment, inspection and corrective action planning with Chinese suppliers, this pilot provided practical insights into sustainable procurement, enabling the participating companies to better engage with the UN procurement system and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.
Mr. Rasmus Hansen, Officer-in-Charge of the UNOPS Sustainable Supply Chains Team, introduced the DRiVE programme and encouraged more Chinese suppliers to join in the future. “We believe there are mutual benefits. We will enhance the sustainability and maturity of our suppliers and make sure they are more engaged in UN procurements. This could raise added value for our entire project and benefit our partners. We are not only bringing a specific project in place but also developing the local economy and abilities of suppliers.”
A highlight of the event was the certificate ceremony for the pilot participants. Two representatives from Shenzhen Mindray and Suzhou Hengrun spoke on behalf of the DRiVE China pilot participants, sharing their insights and expressing their appreciation for the UNOPS-led DRiVE initiative. “Through the DRiVE China pilot program, we now have a better understanding of what sustainable procurement means and how we can continually enhance our business for greater responsibility.”
The workshop also featured knowledge-sharing on Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) investment, corporate value, green human resource management, climate-related disclosure and sustainable supply chain development by experts from Fudan University, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences and Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. In addition, international organizations and third-party service providers such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and SGS were in attendance to share their expertise and hands-on experiences on ESG capacity building.
In the afternoon, three parallel training sessions were delivered by the procurement officer from UNHCR China Office, experts from CDP and SGS, as well as UNOPS sustainable supply chain specialists. Representatives shared their experiences regarding online bidding systems, procurement compliance, ethical standards and supplier sustainability and further interacted with the audiences.
ENDS
Notes to the editors:
Press contact details:
For more information please contact communications@unops.org.
About UNOPS
UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more: www.unops.org
About DRiVE
UNOPS attaches great importance to sustainable procurement and has been continuously integrating sustainable standards into the bidding process to build a responsible supply chain. Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement (DRiVE), initiated by UNOPS in 2018, has become an important component of the Sustainable Procurement Framework since 2020 and contributed to our collective efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Driven by UNOPS' commitment to sustainability and risk management in procurement, DRiVE ensures that UNOPS vendors operate responsibly and in accordance with high standards of integrity through vendor assessment, inspection and corrective action planning. DRiVE has not only promoted sustainability in procurement, but also contributed to accelerating the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.
In China, DRiVE was launched in early 2023 with 13 UNOPS LTA suppliers as pilot participants who continuously enhanced sustainable procurement through vendor assessment, inspection, corrective action planning and social impact.
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Press Release
18 November 2023
UN Special Envoy for Road Safety visits China to advocate for actions in addressing new road safety challenges
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the China’s road traffic fatality rate was 18.2 per 100,000 population, higher than the Western Pacific regional rate of 16.9 (WHO 2016). Furthermore, the cost of road crashes in China represents 6.2% of GDP (WB, 2016). The country's efforts to improve road safety are very encouraging such as the mandatory use of child safety seats to protect children on the road or the enforcement on speed limits and against drunk driving. However, despite the various measures implemented and a clear downward trend in the number of victims, there is still work to be done to tackle the emerging challenges on Chinese roads.
During the mission, the Special Envoy will visit three cities: Guilin (19 – 21 November), Shanghai (22 – 23 November) and Beijing (24 – 27 November). In Guilin, the Special Envoy will attend the China-ASEAN Mayors Forum and an event for UN Global Compact SDG Innovation Accelerator Learning Center, exploring the important nexus between road safety and other SDGs.
China is facing emerging road safety challenges
In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 256,180 road traffic fatalities in China, the second highest absolute total after India. Faced with the worrying situation, China has implemented several measures over the past years, including prohibiting drunk driving, establishing coordinated rescue mechanisms for road crashes in collaboration with the National Health Commission, reducing air pollution emissions in the transportation sector and launching campaigns to promote the mandatory use of helmets and safety belts. In 2022, the Government announced its 14th Five-Year Plan for National Road Traffic Safety (2021-2025).
In addition, China observed a considerable increase in the use of urban public transport and attached importance to this field: in recent years, China continues its large investment in transport infrastructure and develops intelligent public transportation systems. As for road safety related laws and regulations, progresses are also made, including the compulsory use of child safety seats and national standards for e-bikes. With effective measures, there was a downward trend in road traffic mortality in the country in the last 20 years. However, while China has seen significant improvement in road safety, its road traffic mortality remains much higher than that in developed countries (the European average is 9.3/100,000 population). Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists, represent a large proportion of road traffic deaths in the country. Moreover, the growing number of e-bikes is posing a critical challenge to safe mobility. With approximately 300 million e-bikes, China is one of the largest e-bike markets worldwide. From 2013 to 2017, e-bikes have caused more than 56,000 traffic crashes and over 8,000 fatalities. In 2019, e-bike riders accounted for 13.8% of road traffic deaths and 17.4% of road traffic injuries. In consequence, road crashes involving e-bikes have emerged as one of the most important challenges to road safety in China. Furthermore, as world's largest car market, the country is witnessing a remarkable surge in private car ownership and usage, particularly in its major cities. This trend is fuelled by rapid economic growth and higher household disposable incomes in these urban centers. However, this accelerated urbanization has come at a cost, leading to severe traffic congestion, high levels of air pollution, and significant carbon emissions in many of China's bustling metropolises.
Special Envoy’s call for action
During his visit, the Special Envoy will meet with various stakeholders to discuss the road safety situation in China and explore potential opportunities of addressing the emerging challenges. According to the Special Envoy, further actions are needed to ensure safe and sustainable mobility in the country, including strong enforcement of the mandatory use of helmets, strengthening the post-crash emergency care, launching national road safety awareness campaigns, as well as improving road infrastructure especially in rural and underdeveloped areas.
“On top of the existing causes of road crashes, I have observed the emergence of new road safety challenges in the country, such as the increasing number of e-bikes and traffic congestion,” noted the Special Envoy, Jean Todt. “China being a leader in tech has a huge opportunity to quickly address these issues. This silent pandemic requires that it is placed high on government priorities.”
For further information or media inquiries, please contact Priti Gautam at priti.gautam@un.org and Stephanie Schumacher at stephanie.schumacher@un.org
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About the Special Envoy: Appointed by the UN Secretary-General, the Special Envoy for Road Safety is dedicated to advancing road safety initiatives globally. Through strategic advocacy and community engagement, he works to create safer roads, mitigate road traffic injuries, and save lives worldwide.
Special Envoy brochure and Twitter account
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Press Release
10 November 2023
Second Int’l Forum on Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation Highlights Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Using the First Forum, which focused on agri value chains as a cornerstone, the Second Forum on the International Forum on Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation, shifted its focus on empowering youths, who are the key agents in pushing the rural transformation agenda through digital technologies.
Around 100 representatives of social groups, research institutions, enterprises, government institutions, the media, UN agencies, and other international institutions from China and abroad, as well as farmers who have benefited from various rural development programs and undertakings, attended in person and online.
While there are 600 million rural youths in the world, their limited access to education, land, natural resources, finance, technology, information, and education has impeded them from contributing to the rural economy. Nii Quaye-Kumah, IFAD Country Director and Head of IFAD East Asia Hub, highlighted that we need to scale up investment in rural youth, if we are to reap the demographic dividend and accelerate the 2030 Agenda. He observed that an increasing number of young people have been using innovative technologies to start-up businesses in rural areas. Nii Quaye-Kumah indicated that IFAD always places young people at the forefront of its development actions and will continue to ensure their access to resources and services and increase their representation in decision-making roles through its joint programs undertaken in line with the Chinese government’s rural revitalization agenda.
“China’s people-centred development has led to several accomplishments, including the eradication of extreme poverty,” said Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China. “The experiences of China offer many potential lessons that can be shared with other developing countries on their paths towards sustainable development.”
Wang Xiaohui, Editor-in-Chief of CIIC, remarked that more emphasis should be placed on the role of youth in promoting global rural vitalization in his opening speech. He pointed out that institutional mechanisms should effectively engage knowledgeable, passionate, and energetic young people to stimulate innovation and help them become pillars of rural development. Wang also expressed that more global platforms that facilitate exchanges and the sharing of experiences related to rural development among young people should also be created and that new ideas, approaches, and development areas should be pursued.
“Across the globe, young people are increasingly connected, informed, technologically adept, and better educated than any prior generation,” said Tomomi Ishida, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Social Protection Officer (Rural Development). However, she also pointed out that youths tend to encounter unique challenges that are often more profound than what their adult counterparts experience when striving to engage in productive and effective involvement. The agendas of youth empowerment and protection thus hold paramount importance in FAO’s strategies.
Wang Yi, Executive Director of the World Youth Development Forum Secretariat’s organizing committee and Executive Director of the All-China Youth Federation’s international department, indicated that it is estimated that 130,000 Chinese young people choose to participate in various rural vitalization projects every year. Wang shared that the WYDF has established a special fund and scholarship program to engage youths in rural revitalization by facilitating the provision of small grants and promoting capacity building, international communication, advocacy, and publicity pertaining to youth leaders around the world.
The Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation: 2023 Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship report was also released at the forum. It features 15 inspiring stories and case studies related to young innovators and entrepreneurs from China and abroad in areas such as digital agricultural machinery, precision agriculture, the connection of smallholder farmers to markets, financial empowerment and South-South cooperation.
The report was jointly compiled by the IFAD China Office, FAO Representation in China, the WFP China Centre of Excellence, ESCAP-CSAM, and the CIIC, and received support from Robert Walker, professor of sociology at Beijing Normal University and professor emeritus and emeritus fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford.
Professor Walker observed that young people can lead the way by using new technologies to transform traditional agricultural production and distribution, such as drones, field video systems, and smart fisheries to accelerate the SDGs. However, it can only be achieved if they are equipped with financial support, fiscal and tax incentives, on-site support, relevant public services, market access, training, talent introduction, and other forms of support.
As of date, IFAD finances over 35 projects in China worth US$ 3.4 billion. In the most recent projects in Sichuan, Yunnan and Hunan Province, IFAD provides young rural entrepreneurs and investors with small grants for poverty reduction and rural revitalization. Tang Wenwen (1st from the right), one of the youth entrepreneurs who benefited from IFAD’s small grant support, established the rural cooperative, Chushan Agricultural Valley, in her hometown in Sichuan Province. This innovative initiative modernized the local agricultural system, strengthen farmers’ skills and raised farmers’ income.
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