China seen playing pivotal role in UN’s sustainable development goals

China’s nongovernmental organizations could have a wider role to play in the United Nations’ sustainable development efforts, according to a UN official.

Marc-Andre Dorel said China’s NGOs can help the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on a global scale.

Dorel, acting chief of the NGO branch at the UN Office for Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development, spoke at a conference themed “China’s Role in the Global Partnership to Achieve the SDGs” at the Millennium Hotel in New York on Tuesday.

Dorel, who visited China last year, said he was impressed by how China’s NGOs have worked on environmental protection, energy modernization, sustainable community and urban development, poverty alleviation and global partnership.

“The civil society has an extensive role to play in the implementation of the agenda,” he said.

The conference was organized by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, with the aim of strengthening global engagement with Chinese civil society organizations (CSOs) and helping promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“More than 800 CSOs have registered in China, and they are looking together with CSOs from other countries to provide basic healthcare, emergency rescue (services) and improve the well-being of the people,” said Zhu Rui, secretary-general of CNIE.

Founded in 2005, the organization has been committed to promoting dialogue, exchanges and livelihood cooperation between Chinese NGOs and NGOs worldwide.

Zhu said eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting inclusive and sustainable development are not only the responsibilities of the international community, but a “solemn commitment” of China.

Growing influence

Zhu said that in the 40 years of China’s reform and opening-up, Chinese CSOs have grown in number and influence.

He said the UN’s SDGs have offered a major platform for China’s CSOs to contribute to global governance, as well as opportunities for China’s CSOs to get involved on an international level.

Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the UN, praised China’s support of the SDGs.

“China is the largest developing country, and development is its top priority. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda has been incorporated into all China’s five-year plans,” he said.

Ma said the world is facing multiple challenges: a tepid economic recovery, sluggish trade and investment, nationalism and a backlash against globalization.

He said the US’ trade actions violate World Trade Organization rules and disrupt global trade.

“The international community should strongly support multilateralism, uphold the multilateral trading system and rules, reject unilateralism and trade and investment patriotism and safeguard free trade and the multilateral system,” he said.

China is the largest developing country ... The implementation of the 2030 Agenda has been incorporated into all China’s five-year plans.” China’s ambassador to the UN

Ma Zhaoxu,