Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning, on behalf of UNDESA, I would like to congratulate the organizers for convening the Belt and Road Davos Forum.
The theme of the Forum covers three aspects: globalization, interregional cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. Let me share with you some reflections on those three topics.
First, globalization has brought both prodigious opportunities and daunting challenges to the world.
On the one hand, globalization has promoted the advancement of productivity and economic growth in all countries.
The world has seen a rapid decrease in poverty. About one billion people have risen from extreme poverty.
The gap in average income between the developed countries and developing countries has narrowed with new markets emerging in all three continents in the South.
On the other hand, it is true that the costs and benefits of globalization have not been equitably distributed among countries or within countries.
Inequality of income within countries has widened in both developed and developing countries.
Over the past two years, discontents with globalization, especially regarding its unbalanced outcome, are on the rise in some countries or regions. An increasing number of countries are adopting more inward-looking policies and protectionist measures.
It is obvious that such short-sighted policies and measures are not good to the world and these countries themselves.
Globalization is irreversible. The best solution to the challenges brought by globalization is not to close borders for trade, capital, technology and people, but to strengthen governance of globalization.
We need an improved globalization that is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable.
Second, sound interregional cooperation will be an essential part of this process. As predicted by some think tanks, the next wave of globalization will further promote South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, in which countries can participate as equal partners. In this regard, regional integration and cooperation hold great potential and provide a new impetus.
The United Nations, as the largest multilateral platform, is in a unique position to steer these efforts. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides us with a framework to pursue an inclusive and equitable globalization for all.
Third, the Belt and Road Initiative has emerged as a new and inclusive model of international development cooperation.
A fundamental factor underpinning the Belt and Road Initiative is to promote broad “connectivity” across countries and regions.
As the Secretariat of the United Nations supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, my Department is confident that the Belt and Road Initiative will substantively contribute to interregional cooperation and to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable globalization.
Last September, during the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the United Nations, UNDESA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We should work together in this endeavour.
Thank you.
Good morning, on behalf of UNDESA, I would like to congratulate the organizers for convening the Belt and Road Davos Forum.
The theme of the Forum covers three aspects: globalization, interregional cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. Let me share with you some reflections on those three topics.
First, globalization has brought both prodigious opportunities and daunting challenges to the world.
On the one hand, globalization has promoted the advancement of productivity and economic growth in all countries.
The world has seen a rapid decrease in poverty. About one billion people have risen from extreme poverty.
The gap in average income between the developed countries and developing countries has narrowed with new markets emerging in all three continents in the South.
On the other hand, it is true that the costs and benefits of globalization have not been equitably distributed among countries or within countries.
Inequality of income within countries has widened in both developed and developing countries.
Over the past two years, discontents with globalization, especially regarding its unbalanced outcome, are on the rise in some countries or regions. An increasing number of countries are adopting more inward-looking policies and protectionist measures.
It is obvious that such short-sighted policies and measures are not good to the world and these countries themselves.
Globalization is irreversible. The best solution to the challenges brought by globalization is not to close borders for trade, capital, technology and people, but to strengthen governance of globalization.
We need an improved globalization that is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable.
Second, sound interregional cooperation will be an essential part of this process. As predicted by some think tanks, the next wave of globalization will further promote South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation, in which countries can participate as equal partners. In this regard, regional integration and cooperation hold great potential and provide a new impetus.
The United Nations, as the largest multilateral platform, is in a unique position to steer these efforts. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides us with a framework to pursue an inclusive and equitable globalization for all.
Third, the Belt and Road Initiative has emerged as a new and inclusive model of international development cooperation.
A fundamental factor underpinning the Belt and Road Initiative is to promote broad “connectivity” across countries and regions.
As the Secretariat of the United Nations supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, my Department is confident that the Belt and Road Initiative will substantively contribute to interregional cooperation and to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable globalization.
Last September, during the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the United Nations, UNDESA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We should work together in this endeavour.
Thank you.
File date:
Wednesday, January 24, 2018