Thank you for coming together for this High-Level Symposium on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN System in China.

Last year, leaders from around the world, including President Xi Jinping, adopted the 2030 Agenda and the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals.

China has demonstrated great leadership and made remarkable commitments to advance the 2030 Agenda.  I am pleased that China has pledged to eradicate poverty in the country by 2020, increase south-south cooperation, and focus action to tackle climate change.  

China’s 13th Five-Year Plan has integrated the 2030 Agenda to reflect the SDGs in the country’s overall social, economic and environmental planning.

I welcome China’s continued leadership to achieve the 2030 Agenda both at home and globally.

I am pleased that China will be among the first countries volunteering to make national presentations on SDG implementation at the High-level Political Forum this July.

The United Nations looks forward to further strengthening our partnership to advance our shared goals of development, peace and human rights for all.

Please accept my best wishes for a successful symposium.