One Earth Summit

Excellencies

Distinguished guests, 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Fellow global citizens,

It is an honour to address you today at the One Earth Summit 2024, a crucial gathering where we come together to discuss the most pressing challenges facing our planet. As the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, I stand before you with a sense of urgency and determination—a shared commitment to safeguarding our fragile home. I wish to take this opportunity to commend Professor Poman Lo for having turned this important summit from an idea into a reality. I thank the Institute of Sustainability and Technology for the Invitation to speak at this event.

As the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in remarks to the General Assembly on Priorities for 2024, “The climate crisis remains the defining challenge of our time.”

Let us begin by acknowledging the critical importance of climate negotiations. The outcomes from COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, serve as both a beacon of hope and a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. Our planet is at a crossroads, and the decisions made today will shape the destiny of generations to come. We must continue to advocate for ambitious targets, robust commitments, and meaningful action and agreements. Here, the phasing out of fossil fuels and operationalization of the loss and damage fund were important achievements moving us towards achieving the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

China and the Middle East have been key partners since the Silk Road trading routes opened up over 2,000 years ago. This collaboration has accelerated as the world has become more interconnected, and for us to achieve the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China, the Middle East, and ASEAN countries need to strengthen their cooperation in order to address the key environmental challenges we face.

The green economy seeks not only to reduce environmental risks, but also to achieve sustainable development and economic growth while conserving biodiversity and the various environmental ecosystems that exist. China, as the world’s second-largest economy and the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, along with the Middle East, with its immense fossil fuel resources, have the potential to play pivotal roles in the world’s transition to a green economy. ASEAN countries, with their abundant natural resources, biodiversity and rapid economic growth, can link the transition to greener energy sources, economic vitality and the protection of important ecosystems.

The transition away from fossil fuels to green energy sources is key to ensuring a green economy. China is a global leader in renewable and green energy, whether it be in solar, wind, hydroelectric or EVs, and can share its experience and technology with ASEAN and Middle East countries. These countries, especially several Middle Eastern countries, have been keen to adopt green energy sources, even as they continue extracting fossil fuels. The rapid adoption of green energy across the Middle East and among ASEAN countries has the potential to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels as a main energy source in these regions and around the world.

Infrastructure investment and cooperation will be key to making the green economy a reality. Investments in green infrastructure, such as eco-friendly buildings, water-efficient systems, and sustainable transport, can help to reduce carbon footprints. 

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has already fostered enhanced infrastructure cooperation between the Middle East, ASEAN countries and China, and by having each region and country leverage its respective strengths and resources, they will be able to leapfrog to more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions that have the potential to create substantial economic gains while protecting the environment.

Sustainable agriculture is another critical area. Food security is critical for human development, and developing climate-resilient and sustainable farming techniques will create more reliable food systems that will accelerate progress on the SDGs. The ASEAN region, with its vast agricultural lands, can benefit from advanced technologies in precision farming and water management that China and some Middle Eastern countries have developed. This collaboration will serve the dual purpose of increasing agricultural yields while minimizing environmental impact.

For these three partners to be successful in jointly working towards a green economy, an ecosystem of information sharing and innovation is essential. We must establish joint research centers, promote study visits, and increase investments in research and development to foster an environment of innovation and peer exchange to develop solutions that are equal parts environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

The transition to a green economy will require substantial investments, and, as a result, financing is pivotal. Green bonds and other financial instruments can provide the needed resources for these collaborative projects. At the same time, the private sector must realize that this vision of a green economy is not only good for the environment, but also for their own bottom line. This realization can help to unlock a flood of private sector capital that can help accelerate us from planning to implementation.

Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at a precipice—a brief window of opportunity. The 2030 Agenda beckons us with its audacious vision: a world free from poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. The goals set out in the Paris Agreement—including our commitment to limiting the rise of global temperature—must guide us at every step. But this is not a journey for the faint-hearted. As we pass the mid-way point of the 2030 Agenda, the world is off track to achieve the SDGs. Without enhanced commitments, solidarity, and transformative actions, we will miss the headline targets enshrined by the SDGs.

Multilateralism is our greatest strength. The only way we can overcome the complex global challenges we face is to work together. So, our multilateral system and the UN must be fit for purpose. It must adapt swiftly to our challenges—from climate emergencies to pandemics, technological disruptions, and humanitarian crises.

Enhanced collaboration between China, ASEAN countries, and the Middle East is essential to advance a green economy and achieve sustainable development. By combining their strengths in renewable energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, along with fostering innovation and increased financing, these regions can serve as an example for the world and lead us towards a greener and more sustainable future. This journey will not be easy, and we will face many challenges, yet the opportunities are immeasurable.

In closing, let us remember that our actions today echo through time. The choices we make ripple across continents and generations. At this summit, let us pledge to be stewards of our planet—a planet that belongs to all, regardless of borders or affiliations. Let us forge ahead, united in purpose, driven by hope, and fueled by the knowledge that our collective efforts can turn the tide.

Together, let’s embrace this journey towards a greener, more sustainable world for us and future generations.

Thank you.