China's path forward highlighted ahead of 2023 SDG Summit

The seminar was organized ahead of the upcoming 2023 SDG Summit taking place on 18-19 September 2023 in New York, with the aim to galvanize local momentum in China and mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Against the background of exacerbating global challenges and at the midpoint of the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs, the event sought to provide a platform for discussions on China’s progress and challenges and to establish a roadmap for the future. The outcomes of the discussions at the seminar will be transmitted to UN Headquarters as an informal input to the 2023 SDG Summit.

During his remarks at the seminar, UN Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee said, “The UN family has a Cooperation Framework with China, to ensure that around its three pillars of People and Prosperity, Planet and Partnerships, we do everything possible to make sure the country can be a best-in-class exemplar in the achievement of the SDGs. At the same time, we use our knowledge to push for more South-South cooperation and North-South collaboration. Ultimately, it is about resurrecting the spirit of multilateralism.”

In the context of the upcoming SDG Summit, the seminar sought to identify the key transformative actions and commitments that China could take and the need to fully align these efforts with the SDGs.

During his remarks at the seminar, Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, President of CCG, said, “Due to the multiple interacting crises, climate change, poverty, inequality, and conflicts, the world is facing a critical moment to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. China will promote the 2030 Agenda from three aspects: promoting sustainable development of the world economy, advancing the policy of common prosperity, and promoting global infrastructure cooperation. As a loyal supporter and champion of multilateralism, China will support the General Assembly in promoting multilateralism and international cooperation and effectively addressing our global threats and challenges guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. I express the hope that participants will contribute their own insights to the upcoming 2023 SDG Summit on 18-19 September 2023.”

The seminar saw the attendance of officials from the Government of China, Member States, the UN system, academia, foundations, the private sector, media and other groups. In the opening session, the Hosts set the stage for the discussions, followed by remarks by the Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and a presentation by the Vice President of the Center for International Knowledge on Development.

During his remarks at the seminar. Mr. Zhao Fengtao, Vice Chairman of CIDCA, said, "The Global Development Initiative is China’s initiative, but it is also for the world. China is willing to expand the resources put in global development collaboration, work hand in hand with global partners, and provide steadfast support to all developing countries to accelerate their development progress, so as to realize the Global Development Initiative and the United Nations 2030 SDG agenda, to leave no nation and no one behind."

Experts and representatives of Member States, the UN, research centres, academia and the private sector engaged in two panel discussions on China’s prospects for achieving the SDGs and its role in promoting SDGs achievement overseas, respectively.  

Among the key topics raised were the need to realize the full potential of China’s role and contribution through its international engagements, and the opportunity to accelerate global progress on the SDGs and leave no one behind. 

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For further information, please contact:

Ms. Louise Xi LI, Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China

Tel: +8610-85320725, Email: xi.li@un.org 

Yan LUO, Deputy Director of Media Department, Center for China & Globalization (CCG)

Email: luoyan@ccg.org.cn