Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday chaired the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York, announcing the group's further actions to support the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

High-level representatives of 60 countries and principals of about 10 international organizations and UN entities attended the meeting. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a video message.

Over the past year, thanks to the active support and participation of all parties, and especially with the impetus provided by the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, the GDI has entered a new phase of practical cooperation, Wang said.

China and international partners have built a cooperation platform and joined hands to create cooperation networks in agriculture, education, response to COVID-19 and climate change; launched the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and the third phase of the China-UN FAO Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation; prioritized cooperation projects in poverty reduction, food, health and other livelihood areas to address pressing challenges, he said.

Duirng the meeting, Wang announced China's seven practical measures to be taken together with international partners to implement the outcomes of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development and GDI cooperation.

First, release the first list of the GDI project pool, including 50 practical cooperation projects in such areas as poverty reduction, food security and industrialization and 1,000 more capacity building projects.

Second, advance the Food Production Enhancement Action. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals will sign cooperation agreements respectively with the Food and Agriculture Organization to cooperate in such areas as digital and innovative agricultural finance, animal and plant disease prevention and control, as well as sustainable soil and water management.

Third, promote the Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership, deepen practical cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency and other countries, push for the transition to renewable energy and realize a more sustainable energy security.

Fourth, advance cooperation on "Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity," to build a smart customs network and boost connectivity of supply chains in the digital era.

Fifth, initiate a world alliance of digital education to strengthen international cooperation in this respect, energize the development of education through digitalization, and enhance the accessibility of education resources.

Sixth, launch the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative jointly with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization to effectively tackle plastic pollution and leave a clean and beautiful Earth to future generations.

Seventh, share data obtained from the SDGSAT-1, launched by China in November 2021, with the rest of the world to help other countries with their research and policymaking regarding sustainable development.

Wang pointed out the need to work on institutional arrangements of the Group, and make good use of the public good and cooperation platforms provided by the GDI to better meet the development needs of different regions and countries in various special situations.  

Wang also encouraged the UN development agencies to participate in GDI cooperation as important partners, fostering synergy between their strategic plans and GDI cooperation. As an open and inclusive partnership, the GDI welcomes the participation of the developed countries in GDI projects, he added.

Guterres and other participants spoke highly of the positive role of the GDI in building consensus, boosting cooperation and pooling resources of international development.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: File photo of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)