Sci-Tech Empowering Rural Transformation: 2026 Climate Resilience and Green Transition

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests, 

Friends, 

It is my great honour to open the “Sci‑Tech Empowering Rural Transformation: 2026 Climate Resilience and Green Transition” dialogue.

My sincere thanks go to the China Internet Information Center, FAO, IFAD, ESCAP‑CSAM, UNDP, the local governments of Jinta County and Suzhou District, and all supporting partners. 

I also appreciate the innovators, researchers, practitioners and community representatives joining us.

This dialogue comes at a pivotal moment. 

As we advance through the second half of the 2030 Agenda and reflect on the outcomes of COP30, the urgency to accelerate climate action while ensuring inclusive and resilient development has never been greater. 

UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has called for a decade of implementation. 

We must strive to keep the 1.5°C goal alive and strengthen adaptation, especially for vulnerable rural communities.

China’s experience offers valuable lessons. 

The 2025 National Report on Land Greening highlights major progress: millions of hectares of new forests, rising forest coverage, and significant control of desertified and rocky land. 

Programmes such as the “Three‑North” Shelterbelt and Ant Forest show how long‑term vision, innovation and public participation can restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods. 

More than 700 million people have taken part in low‑carbon actions through Ant Forest alone.

These experiences resonate far beyond China. 

Many countries across the Global South face similar challenges — desertification, water scarcity, rural vulnerability and climate‑related risks. 

This makes exchanges like today’s essential. 

The burning questions before us are how to turn successful practices into adaptable solutions, how to share technologies and financing models, and how South‑South cooperation can support greener, more resilient development.

Over the coming days, you will see concrete examples of innovation — from digital public‑participation tools to climate‑resilient agriculture and green rural industries. 

The core message is clear: technology and innovation are powerful enablers, but lasting progress depends on partnership, knowledge sharing and collective action.

United Nations China stands ready to work with all partners to strengthen dialogue, advance South‑South cooperation and help translate effective experiences into practical solutions for communities worldwide.

Friends — the path to a resilient and sustainable future runs through our rural communities. 

Let us use this dialogue to deepen cooperation and turn shared commitments into real progress on the ground.

I wish you productive and inspiring discussions. 

Thank you.