2026 CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY (CAU) INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL ON COUNTRY AND REGIONAL STUDIES & GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Distinguished colleagues, 

Dear students and friends, 

上午好! 

It is an honour to add my welcomes to this 2026 China Agricultural University International Summer School on Country and Regional Studies and Global Development. 

Let me begin by congratulating China Agricultural University—especially the College of International Development and Global Agriculture and the College of Humanities and Development Studies—for this important initiative. 

Bringing together students and scholars from around the world to explore rural transformation and global development is both timely and essential. 

This year’s theme, “Understanding Rural Transformation and Mutual Learning of Development Experiences,” captures a central challenge of our time. 

Rural areas and rural people are right at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.

They are where we fight poverty and inequality, transform food systems and address climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Yet too often, rural communities are left behind.

And the core principle of the 2030 Agenda is that we must leave no one behind. 

Today, rural transformation is not only about productivity, but about building resilient, inclusive and sustainable systems.

As is said in Chinese: “农业是发展的根基，农村是希望的田野.”

Agriculture is the foundation of development, and rural areas are fields of hope. 

This reflects a simple truth: sustainable development begins from the ground up—from farmers, communities, and ecosystems. 

It requires resilient food systems, green development, digital innovation, environmental protection, and empowered rural communities. 

China’s experience offers valuable lessons. 

Over recent decades, the country has made historic progress in poverty reduction and agricultural development, with growing efforts to share these experiences through South-South cooperation. 

This Summer School reflects that spirit of mutual learning. 

The United Nations in China is proud to support this work alongside partners such as CAU. 

Across the UN system, agencies are advancing food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development through coordinated efforts. 

At a time of global uncertainty, multilateral cooperation is more important than ever. 

Dear students,

You are at the heart of this programme and the future of global development. Though you come from different backgrounds, you share a common purpose: to understand the world and help improve it. 

During this Summer School, I encourage you to ask bold questions, challenge assumptions, learn from one another and engage deeply with the communities you visit. 

The challenges you are exploring are among the most pressing of our time—and your generation will carry this work forward. 

Let me once again commend CAU for this initiative and its strong partnership with the United Nations. 

I am confident this Summer School will inspire new ideas, deepen understanding, and build lasting global connections. 

I wish you a productive and enriching experience here in Beijing and in Yunnan. 

Thank you very much.

谢谢！