2023 CIFTIS - Global Entrepreneurs’ Summit on Trade in Services

His Excellency Mr. Jiang Zengwei, President of the Global Alliance for Trade in Services (GATIS),

His Excellency Mr. Sha Zukang, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General,

His Excellency Mr. Chen Chunjiang, Assistant Minister of Commerce of China,

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

This morning I joined His Excellency Mr. Wang Shouwen, China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce at an event about accelerating high quality development through high level opening-up. We are seeing the results of this. In China alone, in the first seven months of 2023, the trade in services sector has reported an increase of 8.1%, with a total amount of 500 billion U.S. dollars; including around 200 billion U.S. dollars worth of imported trade in services, up by 21.6%.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The impacts of climate change are becoming ever more apparent, with more frequent extreme temperatures, devasting flooding, droughts and extreme weather events ravishing the globe. During this summer right here in Beijing, we have experienced both extreme temperatures and unprecedented flooding. These events are having a significant effect on people’s livelihoods, ecosystems, biodiversity and our ability to achieve the ambitions outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Therefore, it is more urgent than ever to take action to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience.

The private sector, especially entrepreneurs, have a critical role to play in ensuring we avoid the worst effects of climate change and put ourselves on the path towards a more sustainable future. Entrepreneurs are at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement, critical building blocks for rapidly developing green services industries across a wide array of sectors. 

Certain service sectors, including renewable energy, green finance, and eco-tourism, already demonstrate how promoting green development and adopting a green focus in your operations is not just good for the environment, but also beneficial for your bottom line. There is an increasing demand from consumers for green and environmentally sustainable options, creating alignment between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and economic growth.

Let us look in more detail at the green energy sector, where China is a global leader in solar and wind energy production and distribution. The green energy sector is a rapidly expanding sector of the economy, with the potential to create many new jobs while also helping us reduce our use of fossil fuels. We must take advantage of these environmental and economic incentives. 

Entrepreneurs are also needed to develop new areas of green growth. The potential of AI and quantum computing to dramatically transform how many activities are conducted offers immense potential for breakthroughs and innovations that foster green development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In this journey towards green development, multilateralism and partnerships are paramount. We must collectively embrace the spirit of cooperation and collaboration to address shared challenges and harness opportunities.

The United Nations, as an advocate for international cooperation and sustainable development, stands ready to support such efforts, including with the private sector and entrepreneurs. UN Global Compact, as the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, works with businesses to help them align their operations with the SDGs. At present, over 600 businesses in China have joined Global Compact, and I invite those who have not joined to explore this opportunity to align your efforts with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

This year is the halfway point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. As Heads of State and Government soon gather in New York for the 2023 SDG Summit, it must be said that global progress has stalled, in the face of climate change, conflicts, rising poverty and inequalities. 

I invite you all to review the transformative actions of the SDG Summit and the acceleration tracks of the Climate Ambition Summit and consider how your businesses can contribute to accelerating action for the SDGs. Your contributions are imperative, as it is only through bold collaboration and partnerships that we can mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress on the SDGs. 

UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres has said, we need to advance “a more robust embrace of the Goals, by businesses, local authorities and other actors.”

There is immense opportunity for entrepreneurs and the private sector to develop new green technologies and business models that can protect our planet and reinvigorate our economies.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I look forward to engaging in the discussions today and forging new partnerships in the days ahead. Together, we can embrace green development and create a better future for all. You can count on the UN to be your active partner.