(4 January 2017)
Respected Mr. Philip Gyamfi, Executive Chairman of the GIMUN Team,
Teachers and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
It’s a great honor for me to be part of the Opening Plenary Session of the 8th Ghana International Model UN (GIMUN). Let me begin by extending my sincere gratitude to Mr. Philip Gyamfi for your invitation, and warm congratulations on the opening of this event.
This is my third time to attend the Opening Plenary Session of GIMUN. Each time Mr. Gyamfi will ask me to deliver a speech of inspiration. Yet each time I should say I draw more inspiration from the presentation of young African people. So at the beginning of each year, I am eager to meet with the young talents from African countries on GIMUN platform. The energetic, imaginative and innovative youth are actually the most precious wealth of the African continent.
I am also eager to exchange views with you on the topic of sustainable development. In recent years, the global cause of peace and development are facing more risks and challenges. The deep impact of the international financial crisis is yet to end. The recovery of the world economy is sluggish. The development of the developed countries and emerging economies are diverging. The rising trade protectionism, isolationism, populism and waves of anti-liberalization and reverse globalization are setting extra obstacles for the recovery of world economy. The exacerbating international security situation, coupling with the rising geopolitical risks, interweaving traditional and non-traditional security factors, makes it a long and arduous task to maintain global peace and security.
However, peace and development are still the two dominant themes of the times. As the most universal, representative, authoritative inter-governmental organization, the UN, adhering to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, actively promotes multilateral cooperation, and plays an important role in advancing growth and sustainable development, maintaining global peace and security, promoting development of Africa, protecting human rights, coordinating humanitarian efforts, combating terrorism, as well as promoting disarmament and non-proliferation. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a remedy prescribed by the UN to tackle the contemporary problems, is another major contribution to the human society after the Millennium Development Goals.
In 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit unanimously adopted Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which consists of 17 global goals including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry and innovation and infrastructure, partnership for the goals, among others. The SDGs aim to provide a thorough solution to development issue of three dimensions, economic, social and environmental in a comprehensive manner in the next 15 years and divert to the path of sustainable development. The adoption of 2030 Agenda draws a new vision for the global growth and offers new opportunities to the international development. To this end, the theme for this year’s GIMUN “Global Goals; Better People” is of great practical significance.
It was at this Summit that Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech entitled “Toward Win-win Partnership for Sustainable Development”. Chinese leader expounds on China’s principles and position as well as its readiness to advance the agenda for sustainable development. Last year Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also delivered a speech entitled “Work Together for a World of Peace, Stability and Sustainable Development” at the UN General Assembly.
The Chinese side holds that sustainable development is first and foremost about development. Development underpins every human achievement. Without development, nothing can be sustainable. The lack of development is often at the root of many problems facing the world, therefore development is top priority. Development must be sustainable. It must be sustainable in all dimensions, otherwise development will be stalled and strained. Development won't be sustainable if it is unbalanced, unequal and widens the gap between the North and the South and the rich and the poor. Development won't be sustainable if it is achieved in an extensive manner, driven by high consumption, high pollution and high emissions and depletes resources and strains the environment. Sustainable development must be inclusive and interconnected. The international community should take on a new perspective of the community of shared future in which all are stakeholders, and all should make concerted efforts to jointly tackle global challenges and tide over difficulties..
The Chinese sides holds that peace and stability is the prerequisite for development and sustainable development. In this regard, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Mush be upheld. The general direction of settling hotspot issues through political means much be abode by. History has shown once and again that to repress violence with force can only lead to more hatred and warfare, from which no winner will emerge. All parties must work together for steady recovery of the global economy. The world economy cannot afford long-term sluggishness, otherwise sustainable development will be a fountain without source. The current world economy is faced with both insufficient aggregate demand as well as outstanding structural problems. It is necessary to employ effective policy tools in a holistic manner, and to combine demand management with supply-side reform and short-term policies with long-term ones. Economic globalization is a general trend that is in line with the long-term and fundamental interests of all countries. Countries need to stand firm to oppose protectionism of any form, and need to be resolute in upholding the free trade regime represented by the WTO. This is a way to enable sustained and sound economic growth for all countries through win-win and all-win development. We must redouble efforts to address global challenges facing mankind. Greater attention and more support need to be given to Africa and the least developing countries (LDCs) to help them speed up industrialization, ensure food security, eliminate poverty and hunger, and provide everyone with a life of decency and dignity.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a major responsible country, China is always a staunch supporter of the UN cause. Since the adoption of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China has immediately started to implement it in a comprehensive manner. At the domestic level, we have laid out the Five Major Development Concepts featuring innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing, incorporated the 2030 Agenda with the 13th Five-Year Plan and the overall plan for China’s development, and taken the lead in releasing the national plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, aiming at forming a virtuous circle among social, economic and environmental development. At the global level, we have set up South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, China-UN Peace and Development Fund, and handed over the instruments of joining Paris Agreement to the UN. As the presidency of G20, China for the first time brought the 2030 Agenda into the agenda of G20 and approved relevant action plans during G20 Hangzhou Summit. Meanwhile, China has aligned the 2030 Agenda with “One Belt, One Road” initiative and international cooperation on production capacity to foster a new type of global development partnership.
The proposition of China represents the voice of developing countries and contribute Chinese perspective, wisdom and plans to the implementation of 2030 Agenda.
Teachers and Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,
To implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world also needs African perspective, African wisdom and African plans. Just as a Chinese poem said, “ Each age bring forth new genius on this noble land, each will rule its own domain for years to come.” The baton of history will be handed over to the youth soon. You are the ones who hold the key to the rejuvenation of Africa, as well as the implementation of 2030 Agenda. I hope that all of you can make full use of the forum of GIMUN, set up lofty goals, develop your capacity, and contribute your wisdom and strength to implementing the 2030 Agenda and lead the world to the path of sustainable development featured by prosperous economy, social improvement and beautiful environment.
I wish GIMUN 2017 a great success!
Thank you!