I am pleased to greet the Fourth China-Africa People’s Forum.

I thank the China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union for co-organising this meeting.

I also thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting.

Your 15th anniversary marks a milestone in this extraordinary year of global action for a better world.  It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

Next month at the United Nations, world leaders will adopt a new sustainable development agenda to transform our world by 2030.  Last month in Addis Ababa, the international community agreed on a framework to finance our shared ambitions.  In December in Paris, governments have pledged a meaningful, universal climate change agreement. 

Africa has seen its own significant developments in the last year. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its 10 Year Implementation Plan clearly articulate the future Africans want. I fully support your efforts to make these ambitious African aspirations a reality.

Let us come together for sustainable development, human rights and a life of dignity for all.

Thank you.