Bamboo and Rattan Congress addresses green growth

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02:09

At the first-ever Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress held in Beijing from Monday to Wednesday, over 1,200 representatives discussed nature-based solutions in attaining sustainable development.

In more than 70 panel discussions, representatives focused on how bamboo and rattan can help tackle poverty, mitigate climate change, restore land, and create sustainable housing.

Participants at the bamboo conference. /CGTN Photo

Gunter Pauli, the founder of Club of Rome, said that bamboo can pop up in no time, give people sustainability and help clean water. Therefore, in the strategy to strengthen rural areas, bamboo is going to be a key component.

Gunter Pauli, founder of Club of Rome, talks to CGTN. /CGTN Photo

"We've heard a lot (about) how China can help reduce poverty through bamboo. It's not only poverty alleviation, it's also the green agenda, how we can achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030. Bamboo has amazing solutions for these two topics," said Charlotte Salford, associate vice-president of the International Fund For Agricultural Development.

Charlotte Salford, associate vice-president at the International Fund For Agricultural Development, talks to CGTN. ./CGTN Photo

China will continue to promote sustainable development by bolstering the bamboo and rattan industries, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in a letter to the Congress. He said that officials will enhance cooperation with developing countries to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"The Chinese government is supporting many developing countries including my country Ethiopia, especially in building research centers. The Chinese are supporting technically, financially and scientifically," said Shitaye Minale, deputy speaker of Ethiopia's Parliament.

Shitaye Minale, deputy speaker of Ethiopia's Parliament, talks to CGTN. /CGTN Photo

As the international community continues to promote environmental protection and sustainable development, participants said bamboo and rattan have big roles to play going forward.