PGA Speech on High-level Meeting of the Group of Friends of

the Global Development Initiative

Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 4:00 pm, CR6

[As Delivered]

 

Your Excellency, Ambassador Fu Cong, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations,

Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Social and Economic Affairs,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, let me extend a warm welcome and congratulations to you, Your Excellency Fu Cong, on your accreditation as Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations – and I look forward to working closely with you.

 

I should like to express my gratitude for the kind invitation – and to commend you, alongside fellow members of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) for organizing this important event, on the sidelines of the Sustainability Week.

 

As we navigate through the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we cannot ignore the stark realities of the development deficit that persists across the globe – and the sluggish state of our progress towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Heightened geopolitical tensions, persistent conflict and war, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises, not to mention extreme weather events, further as well as climate change impacts – exacerbated by dwindling resources to fund development – threaten to derail our progress even further.

 

Instilled with a sense of urgency – and resolve to meet today’s pressing challenges and to accelerate the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable future – I believe the Global Development Initiative holds tremendous potential to benefit many countries.

 

Its key thrust is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development – including its focus on poverty alleviation, food security, and climate change.

 

Moreover, it is quite in sync with the purpose of the ongoing Sustainability Week, in addressing the pressing challenge of unsustainable debt, and reinvigorating the tourism, transport, infrastructure connectivity and energy sectors as powerful drivers in our economies – in accelerating our journey towards a more sustainable future.

 

Excellencies,

The synergies between the GDI’s essence and the various ongoing processes at the UN – including the forthcoming Summit of the Future – offer us a unique opportunity to galvanize global efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.

 

China’s vision of the GDI can be seen as an embodiment of the true spirit of multilateralism. It is through such collaboration and partnership that we can unleash the full potential of genuine solidarity and international cooperation for our collective progress.

 

In this era of uncertainty, the GDI can be as a catalyst in our endeavour to deliver transformative change; – change that improves lives and advances inclusive development.

 

With the expansion of the GDI’s project pool – and the mobilization of resources – a golden opportunity exists to make meaningful strides towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Goals.

 

Furthermore, the establishment of the Global Development Promotion Centre provides a platform for dialogue and coordination – fostering greater synergy and mutual understanding among nations.

 

Excellencies,

Let me conclude by emphasizing that – through prioritizing action and collaboration – we can empower communities and indeed our peoples, particularly in the Global South; and build a more equitable and sustainable world for all people, everywhere.

 

As we actively seek to reignite trust and solidarity and so renew the spirit of international cooperation let us remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability, for all, without exception.

 

Together, we can overcome the challenges confronting us – for the benefit of the present and future generations.

 

I thank you.

 

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