Press Release: Member States share insights on UN in China strategic priorities

The bi-annual briefing initiated in 2021 by the UN Resident Coordinator in China is an important forum to regularly update Member States on the implementation of the Cooperation Framework. Agreed upon between the Government of China and the UN in China, the Cooperation Framework represents the strategic and programmatic plan in support of the Host Country’s national development priorities, to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

As the Cooperation Framework approaches its final year of implementation, the briefing highlighted the UN’s efforts to advance the three priority areas of People and Prosperity, Planet, and Partnerships. Member States were also briefed on ongoing collaborations with the Government of China and upcoming UN initiatives in China for 2025, including efforts to localize the recently adopted Pact for the Future, and the process of designing the next Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030.  

During his remarks, Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, said, “Our work will continue into 2025 with renewed vigour, focusing not only on delivering our current Cooperation Framework but also on shaping the next one for 2026–2030. We will be consulting closely with Member States and with the Government, in making sure that China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and our own programs are well-aligned.” 

The briefing provided the opportunity for Member States to offer their views, including through remarks from the representatives of Member States that have worked closely with the UN in China, namely Senegal, Pakistan, and the European Union. 

During his remarks, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahima Sory Sylla, Ambassador of Senegal, said, “We should not divide the world between the North and the South. We need to cooperate. On climate change, on the SDGs, on financing for development, and for the sake of humanity. We need to work together. This should be the message we add regarding cooperation between China, Africa, and the UN.” 

During his remarks, His Excellency Mr. Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan, said, “Multilateral cooperation and multilateral institutions are not a matter of choice. It is in everybody’s interest to contribute all the political, financial, and economic forces to this system that serves us all.” 

During his remarks, His Excellency Mr. Jorge Toledo Albiñana, Ambassador of the European Union, said, “We work together with the UN to uphold the multilateral system based on universal rules and values. The European Union and the UN work together to respond to global crises, threats, and challenges in a common pursuit of a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.” 

During a presentation of accomplishments in 2024 and plans for 2025 and beyond, Ms. Viola Canossa, Senior Economist at UNDP China, and Dr Shahbaz, UNESCO Representative, highlighted how the work of the UN in China remained strongly underpinned by the principles of gender equality, disability inclusion, youth engagement, and the central promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind. 

UN entities in China provided updates on recent and upcoming international events, including processes related to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, presented by Mr. Erasmus Morah, Director and Representative of UNAIDS China Office, and preparations for Beijing +30, shared by Ms. Smriti Aryal, UN Women Representative to China.