HIGH-LEVEL POLICY ENGAGEMENT EVENT: ADVANCING THE CARE AGENDA IN THE 15TH FIVE-YEAR PLAN ERA

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, partners and friends,

大家好 !

欢迎 !

Today’s high-level dialogue on advancing the care agenda in the 15th Five-Year Plan era is both timely and strategic. 

As China rolls out the 15th Five-Year Plan, high-quality development, population dynamics, family wellbeing, gender equality, employment and responses to ageing are all central. 

The care agenda, in particular, is gaining new prominence. 

China’s demographic transition is driving rising demand for childcare, elder care and long-term care. 

Meanwhile, unpaid care —still disproportionately provided by women—drastically limits women’s participation in the labour market.

Evidence shows investing in care delivers strong returns. 

Quality childcare supports early development, enables parents to work, creates jobs and contributes to long-term productivity and inclusive growth. 

It also advances women’s rights, strengthens human capital and addresses broader economic challenges. 

So: care is an economic and development priority, not just some niche social issue.

Friends –

It follows that supporting the care economy should be positioned as a strategic development agenda, not merely a welfare concern. 

Encouragingly, here and abroad, we are seeing a shift from recognition to action—towards building stronger care systems through improved services, workforce development, financing, quality standards, data, governance and local delivery.

This reflects a life-course approach that connects individuals, families, communities, and institutions. 

For United Nations China, this agenda aligns closely with our Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030.

Through the Framework, we will be contributing to reducing inequalities, strengthening social protection, advancing gender equality, expanding access to quality services, promoting decent work and ensuring no one is left behind. 

Our core message is clear: investing in care is investing in people—across generations and across society. 

The UN is proud already to be supporting China through global evidence, international standards, policy dialogue, research and coordination, leveraging multidisciplinary expertise across the system. 

Looking ahead, key priorities will include strengthening policy coherence, building evidence and scaling innovation, promoting equity in access to care and ensuring quality and sustainability through workforce, financing, standards and coordination. 

Today’s dialogue is, therefore, an important opportunity to advance these priorities with evidence and shared commitment. 

Friends – 

A stronger care system is not only a response to demographic change, but a foundation for high-quality human investment, inclusive development and accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

And so it is a real pleasure to welcome you to this high-level dialogue on Advancing the Care Agenda in the 15th Five-Year Plan Era.

I wish you all a productive discussion.

谢谢大家 ！