U8 World Innovation Summit

Mr. Zhang Jingan, Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology System Reform, Former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology

Mr. Xia Jianhui, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education's China Scholarship Council

Excellencies

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the U8 Organizing Committee for inviting me to address the opening ceremony of the World Innovation Summit on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 

Suppose we receive a message from those living on our planet in 2050; what would we hear? Would we hear of a world that has preserved its biodiversity, with many endangered species rescued from extinction, with global temperature rise kept in check, with children everywhere having access to quality education and a more equitable and prosperous planet? Or would we hear of gunfire and explosions and many conflicts plaguing our world, drinking water shortages in drought-ridden areas and the continued impacts of climate change, with ice sheets having receded and islands washed away into the ocean?

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Let us first envision a future world where the consequences of our inaction on climate change have spiralled out of control. A planet plagued by extreme weather events, where once predictable rainfall patterns have given way to destructive forces. Imagine temperatures soaring to unprecedented highs, making life unbearable for many, mostly from vulnerable regions. This is the bleak future that awaits us if we fail to unite and address our common goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

In this scenario, climate change is not merely a threat on the horizon; it is a harsh reality shaping every aspect of our lives. Extreme weather events, from ferocious hurricanes and floods to prolonged droughts, have become our new normal, wreaking havoc on agriculture and exacerbating food insecurity. 

Rising sea levels have endangered coastal communities, displacing millions, triggering regional and global conflicts and a global refugee crisis.

If temperature rises continue at the current pace, traditional ecosystems will collapse, leading to species extinction and disrupting the delicate ecological balance of our planet. The very essence of nature, once thriving and resilient, will now be fragile and on the brink of collapse. The consequences extend beyond the environment, touching every facet of human existence.

Hatred will grow as communities grapple with the consequences. Increased conflicts will erupt over dwindling resources, as states and non-state entities vie for access to water, arable land, and habitable spaces. 

Economic systems will suffer the consequences of environmental degradation and political upheaval, rendering once prosperous regions impoverished and unstable. 

The existential crisis as such is like the Sword of Damocles, reversing gains on human development and threatening our humanity at every moment. This will be the result of our collective failure to act. The cost of inaction is measured not only in environmental terms but also in the erosion of our social structures, the displacement of communities, and the exacerbation of poverty and inequality. It is a reminder that the challenges we face are highly interlocked and require a unified response.

When we stand at the middle point of the 21st century and look back on our choices, how will we grade ourselves? The causes of these crises are known and accepted by political leaders and citizens around the world. The actions needed to put us on the other path are known; what is missing is our unified ambition and determination to address these challenges and ensure that the future I just described is not the future we leave to future generations. 

Now, let's move from the grim narrative that results from collective inaction to a vision of a world made better by international cooperation and an enhanced multilateral system. Imagine a future in 2050 where we chose unity, where nations came together to combat climate change. In this scenario, we would leave a legacy of positive change and shared prosperity to the next generation, demonstrating what can be accomplished when we put aside our differences to work towards a common objective.

In this vision, our commitment to sustainable development has propelled the transition to green energy. Fossil fuel usage has practically disappeared, replaced by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, and the world will have just achieved net-zero emissions. Our cities are vibrant hubs of innovation, centred around sustainable urban planning with smart cities existing in all corners of the globe, with streets humming with electric vehicles. 

Our collective efforts will succeed in limiting global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. This achievement will not just be a victory against climate change but a testament to our ability to set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them, showcasing how we rallied around the common goal of sustainable development over unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

In this future, artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a powerful tool for good. AI has been harnessed to solve pressing global challenges, from healthcare and education to conflict management. Ethical guidelines and international cooperation have ensured that AI is developed and deployed responsibly, prioritizing the well-being of humanity over profit and risks. Technology has become a force for empowerment, bridging gaps, reducing inequality, and enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

To navigate a path towards the brighter future I have just laid out, several key actions are needed. First, we must reembrace the multilateral system, while reforming and strengthening it to respond to the challenges we face. 

In our interconnected world, climate change, geopolitical tensions, economic inequality, and ongoing conflicts demand collective solutions. Countries must look beyond short-term gains and engage in robust international cooperation. This implies sharing knowledge and best practices, and pooling resources to address these challenges efficiently and effectively. We must shift our focus from immediate gains to a long-term view. Sustainable development requires patience and commitment. Policies should be crafted with an eye on the future, emphasizing environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic resilience. 

Simultaneously, we must reform the architecture of International Financial Institutions. 

This is paramount for ensuring adequate, sustainable development financing and is one of the key tasks highlighted in “Our Common Agenda”. The global financial system must be reshaped to promote inclusivity and to address the urgent needs of developing countries. Reforms should foster more fair and transparent lending practices, longer-term loans, prioritizing green financing, ensuring greater participation from developing countries in the governance of such institutions and that economic benefits are shared equitably.

Rebuilding trust is another crucial element. Trust between countries and in the multilateral system has eroded in recent years due to increasing geopolitical tensions. Reconstructing trust requires open dialogue, genuine collaboration, and a commitment to international law, norms and agreements. 

Transparency, accountability, and adherence to shared values are the cornerstones of a revitalized global order centred on the UN Charter.

In the realm of AI, responsible governance is non-negotiable. Countries must come together to forge clear frameworks for AI development and application. Governments, industry leaders, and experts from all sectors must collaborate to uphold ethical standards and legal regulation of AI, ensuring that AI technologies contribute to shared prosperity rather than exacerbate social divides. AI, when harnessed responsibly, has the potential to drive higher productivity and contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources. 

I am hopeful that the Advisory Group recently convened will submit recommendations for a global governance framework for AI at next year’s Summit of the Future that will be adopted by Member States and will form the starting point for further international cooperation. Governments and businesses will also need to work together to craft policies that promote inclusive AI technologies. Furthermore, we must avoid the weaponization of AI at all costs and ensure guardrails are placed on AI technologies to ensure control is not passed from humans to algorithms. 

Achieving the future we want demands a firm commitment and practical action. It requires a departure from short-sighted, self-serving approaches in favour of a collaborative, long-term vision. 

The United Nations continues to work closely with all member States to develop solutions for these and other global challenges. As we meet here today, global leaders and youth delegates from around the world have arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the UN Climate Change Conference – COP28. Similarly, the World Action Climate Summit, parallel to our World Innovation Summit today, will hopefully set a new standard for the level of ambition, credibility, and implementation needed for climate action. While commitments from Heads of State or Government are crucial in the fight against climate change, each of our individual decisions can move us towards a prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable world in 2050.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “a multipolar world needs strong and effective multilateral institutions”.

By promoting the green energy transition, reforming international institutions, rebuilding trust, and harnessing technologies for sustainable development, we can pave the way for a world characterized by shared prosperity and unity. The journey is challenging, but the rewards— a resilient, harmonious world—are worth the effort.

Thank you.