{"id":132467,"date":"2019-04-29T12:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T11:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=132467"},"modified":"2019-04-28T13:46:54","modified_gmt":"2019-04-28T12:46:54","slug":"at-chinas-belt-and-road-forum-guterres-calls-for-inclusive-sustainable-and-durable-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2019\/04\/at-chinas-belt-and-road-forum-guterres-calls-for-inclusive-sustainable-and-durable-development\/","title":{"rendered":"At China\u2019s Belt and Road Forum, Guterres Calls for ‘Inclusive, Sustainable and Durable’ Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

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26 Apr 2019 – China\u2019s international trade and economic development plan \u2013 known as the Belt and Road Initiative \u2013 could contribute to a more equitable, prosperous world, and to reversing the negative impact of climate change, Secretary-General<\/a> Ant\u00f3nio Guterres said today, speaking in Beijing<\/a>, China.<\/em><\/p>\n

Addressing Chinese President Xi Jinping and dozens of other state leaders at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Mr. Guterres urged the international community to \u201ccome together\u201d in mobilizing resources to implement the Sustainable Development Goals<\/a> (SDGs) and \u201cto stop runaway climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChina\u2019s leadership on climate action is helping to show the way,\u201d said the UN chief, noting the $125 billion investment made by the Government in 2017, in renewable energy.<\/p>\n

He pledged the support of United Nations country teams \u2013 which comprise UN agencies, founds and programmes operating in a country – saying the pillars of the Belt and Road Initiative link to the 17 SDGs, which include ending extreme poverty and hunger, and can translate into \u201creal-life progress for people.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe must reimagine and rebuild our world in a way that works for everyone, brings women into the leadership of the economy of the future and expands the opportunities for young people.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>
\n— UN Chief Guterres <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That means also helping to close the financing gaps for achieving the SDGs, he said noting the\u00a0\u00a0 nearly $1 trillion needed for infrastructure investments in developing countries.<\/p>\n

Looking globally, Mr. Guterres said that countries today need a way to transition from an \u201cunsustainable, fossil-fuelled grey economy to a clean, green, low-carbon energy future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noting that at least 75 per cent of the infrastructure the world needs by 2050 has yet to be built, Mr. Guterres lauded China for its investment in renewable energy job creation and technologies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see the Belt and Road Initiative as an important space where green principles can be reflected in green action,\u201d he told the Forum.<\/p>\n

Earlier, noted there was now \u201ca unique opportunity to build a new generation of climate resilient and people-centred cities and transit systems, and energy grids that prioritize low emissions and sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n

While in Beijing, Mr. Guterres, who is joined on the visit by Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), will meet one-on-one with President Xi and other senior officials. On Saturday, he is due to participate in a roundtable on promoting green and sustainable development.<\/p>\n