Symposium on High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation

His Excellency Mr. Sun Wei Dong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Excellencies,

Ambassadors,

Honourable Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China to address you, an illustrious and brilliant galaxy of leaders and global influencers from across the world gathered today in Harbin as we reflect on a key forthcoming milestone in international collaboration and development, the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI) 10th Anniversary.

My sincere thanks to His Excellency Mr. Ma Zhaoxu, the Executive Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for convening us here today in this breathtaking and utterly salubrious city which is also the hometown of Minister Ma.

The BRI is a vast endeavour that has altered the way nations communicate and collaborate, and it is a good reflection of China's leadership and commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Through its scope and ambition, the BRI has sought to promote economic growth, regional integration, and cultural interchange around the world during the last decade. This is something I’ve witnessed directly, having spent half of my UN career in Africa.

Today more than 140 countries and international organizations have joined this project, demonstrating its broad impact. The UN early on recognized the BRI’s enormous potential for real-world change for people and has been a long-standing partner.

Excellency Sun Weidong, I have seen firsthand the Havassa Industrial Park in Ethiopia, the SGR rail in Kenya and the road from the port of Lamu in Kenya to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. It has transformed lives and livelihoods.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

COVID-19 struck the world like a bolt of lightning, revealing the contours of fundamental inequality as well as the frailty of the human race.

It has, in fact, hampered global progress, disproportionately affecting vulnerable people. Accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is critical during the post-pandemic recovery period, and the BRI can help with this aim. Here are some thoughts.

On healthcare infrastructure, the pandemic underlined the significance of a strong healthcare infrastructure. The BRI has the potential to prioritize investments in medical facilities, research institutions, and vaccine delivery networks, so contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

On digital connectivity, the COVID-19 situation highlighted the need for improved digital connectivity in order to provide remote access to education, healthcare, and economic prospects. The BRI’s emphasis on strengthening telecommunications infrastructure can contribute to closing the digital gap and promoting digital literacy (SDG 4) and innovation (SDG 9).

On economic revival, the BRI’s emphasis on growing trade and investment has the potential to help global economic recovery following the COVID pandemic. This revival is critical for generating the resources needed to achieve the SDGs and address the pandemic’s setbacks.

On sustainable and resilient growth, it is critical to pursue sustainable and resilient development strategies in order to rebuild better. To meet SDG targets relating to climate action (SDG 13) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), the BRI can incorporate green projects, renewable energy initiatives, and sustainable urban development.

The BRI can help save and advance the SDGs by boosting infrastructure development, economic growth, sustainability, and poverty reduction in the face of pandemic setbacks.

The UN’s approach to the BRI has been twofold: supporting and aligning its objectives with the SDGs, and advocating for the inclusion of environmental sustainability through the Green Silk Road concept within the UN-China Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025. Our relationship is based on a shared vision of making the world a more prosperous and equitable place for everybody.

As the UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted back in 2019, “The five pillars of the Belt and Road – policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people exchanges – are intrinsically linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”

The BRI can play a critical role in speeding progress toward the 2030 Agenda by strengthening its connection with the SDGs. The BRI has already helped to reduce poverty, improve access to education and healthcare, and expand economic possibilities by focusing on infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and long-term investment. The BRI also supports global efforts to meet the primary promise of the 2030 Agenda, which is to leave no one behind, by emphasizing inclusive growth, building social cohesion, and eliminating disparities.

Furthermore, the UN emphasizes the critical role of environmental sustainability in attaining sustainable development.

The Green Silk Road is a game-changing approach that understands the interdependence of economic growth and environmental sustainability. It works to reduce the impact of climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote clean, affordable energy for all. By incorporating these values into the BRI, we are making a substantial contribution to attaining the SDGs and leaving a constructive legacy for future generations.

As we approach the BRI’s 10th anniversary in the coming months, it is critical that we reflect on our achievements and move forward with renewed vigour. There is still much to be done, and the UN remains dedicated to working with the people and Government of China. We can build robust infrastructure, improve connectivity, and create new chances for sustainable development by harnessing our combined talents.

I am delighted to say that the BRI involves more than 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs. For example, the BRI provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to work with recipient countries to help them use Belt and Road investments to accomplish the SDGs. UNEP's attempts to "green" the BRI involve harnessing the organization's existing Belt and Road knowledge. The Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition was founded in April 2019 during the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

The Coalition is an open, inclusive, and voluntary international network that brings together all partners' environmental knowledge to ensure that the Belt and Road Initiative supports long-term green and sustainable development in all affected countries, in support of the 2030 Agenda. The Coalition now has 134 partners, including the environment ministries of 26 UN Member States.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

However, as we move forward, we must keep the obstacles that lie ahead in mind. We must address any environmental hazards, protect affected people’s rights and well-being, and promote transparency and accountability in project implementation. The UN system is fully committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to properly handle these issues and maximize the BRI’s impact. The UN will bring to bear its convening, connecting and catalyzing role through partnerships, resources and intellectual capital to ensure the BRI impacts the SDGs.

The UN will continue to be an important partner in this transformative journey, advocating for a Green Silk Road that will take us to a more sustainable, egalitarian, and prosperous world.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us continue to work together, hand in hand, to save the SDGs and construct a society that addresses both current issues and the ambitions of future generations.

Thank you very much.