The Third China International Supply Chain Expo Thematic Event on Healthy Life Envisioning a Smart and Healthy Life

Distinguished guests, 

Colleagues,  

And friends,

It is a great honour to join you today at this thematic event, “Healthy Life,” during the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo. I would like to thank the China Chamber of International Commerce and all co-organizers for convening this important dialogue, especially at a time when the world is seeking new pathways to resilience, sustainability, and well-being.

The theme of today’s event— “Envisioning a Smart and Healthy Life”—resonates deeply with the United Nations’ commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Health is not only at the heart of SDG 3, but is closely interlinked with nearly every other goal, from poverty reduction to climate action. Simply put, health is a prerequisite for progress across the entire 2030 Agenda.

As we gather here today, we are reminded that access to health, both physical and mental, is not only a fundamental human right, but also a cornerstone of economic and social development. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global health systems and supply chains. But it also sparked innovation, accelerated digital transformation, and deepened cross-sector collaboration. These are lessons we must now build upon as we work toward a healthier, more equitable future.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted deep gaps in collective preparedness – and served as a powerful reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global health sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation. We are witnessing the convergence of technology, sustainability, and health, from AI-driven diagnostics and wearable devices, to green pharmaceutical production and personalized medicine. China’s leadership in digital health, smart manufacturing, and green innovation offers valuable lessons for the world.

This Expo, focusing on supply chain integration, provides a unique platform to explore how we can embed health and sustainability into every link of the chain: from research and development to production, distribution, and equitable access. The participation of leading enterprises, academic institutions, and international organizations here today reflects a growing consensus: that health innovation must be inclusive, people-centered, and globally connected.

The United Nations in China is actively supporting these efforts. Through partnerships with government, academia, and the private sector, we are advancing initiatives that promote universal health coverage, strengthen health systems, and foster South-South cooperation in health innovation. We are also working to ensure that the benefits of digital health and green technologies reach those who need them, especially vulnerable communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.

This year’s event also underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration. I look forward to learning more about new opportunities for collaboration across industries—from biotechnology to logistics, from artificial intelligence to public health—that can help unlock transformative solutions for a smart and healthy future. 

Colleagues and Friends,

Let us seize this opportunity to reimagine health not just as an individual concern, but as a shared societal responsibility. Let us work together to build supply chains that are not only efficient and resilient, but also equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. 

And above all, let us reaffirm our commitment—governments, businesses, academia, and civil society—to ensuring that every person, in every community, can live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life.

Thank you.