On October 14, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held the seminar themed "Revitalize SDGs in the Post-Summit-of-the Future Era" in Beijing.Mr. Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, moderated the Seminar. Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, delivered a keynote speech. Mr. Peter Tan Hai Chuan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to China, Mr. Wang Huiyao, Founder of the Center for China and Globalization(CCG), Ms. Miao Lv, Secretary General of the CCG, Mr. Steven Alan Barnett, Senior Resident Representative in China of the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Tamas Hajba, Senior Advisor for China of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Ms. Beate Trankmann, Resident Representative for China of the United Nations Development Programme, Dr. Vinod Ahuja, Representative ad interim to China and DPR Korea of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Mr. Zhao Bing, Representative and Country Director of the United Nations World Food Program China Office, Ms. Hu Wenli, Vice-President and Director-General of the United Nations Association of China, Ms. Ira Ovesen, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Population Fund in China joined the discussion. Officials of the Department of International Economic Affairs and the Department of International Conferences and Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China were present. Mr. Wang Qiang, Vice President and Regional Head of Greater China，SABIC took part and made intervention. Participants contributed to vibrant and in-depth discussions on implementations of the outcomes of the Summit of the Future as well as promoting the SDGs.
Secretary General Zhang Jun commended the efforts of Administrator Achim Steiner to lead the United Nations Development Programme in implementing the United Nations 2030Agenda and making an outstanding contribution to the Summit of the Future. Zhang Jun noted that the world today is not a peaceful place, with rise of protectionism, lack of political for dialogue and cooperation. unbalanced development and social inequality. The digital and technological gap are broadening, with scarcity of natural resources, deteriorating natural environment, growing and aging population. The crises the international community is facing now, are the loss of direction, the lack of trust, and the inefficiency of global governance.
Against this background, the United Nations Summit of the Future was hosted timely, with rich outcomes, and far-reaching significance. It showcased broad understanding that humanity is having a shared future, multilateralism is the only solution, and sustainable development is still our top priority. What we really need is to take concrete actions, improve global governance, make the world safer, fairer and more equitable, and create a better future for the humankind.
Secretary General Zhang Jun expressed that the Boao Forum for Asia has always been dedicated to fostering economic development and regional integration since its inception more than 20 years ago. The Boao Forum for Asia has followed the strategy of focusing on Asia with a global horizon, charting course for development through fostering cooperation. The 2025 BFA Annual Conference will be held from 25th to 28th, March 2025, in Boao, Hainan, and sustainable development will be one of the main topics. Secretary General Zhang welcomed delegates to take part in the BFA events, to continuously engage with and support the BFA, and jointly promote open, inclusive, sustainable, and high-quality development among Asia-Pacific countries and between regions.
Achim Steiner praised the Boao Forum for Asia for its efforts in promoting solidarity and cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating that we are in challenging time with the world drifting apart. He emphasized that the Pact for the Future and its annexes, adopted at the Summit set direction for future reforms and actions, including reform of the UN, the Security Council, and the international financial architecture, international cooperation and governance in the digital and AI fields, and capacity building for developing countries. This is also an affirmation and reaffirmation of multilateralism. Mr. Steiner stressed that many of today’s challenges, including sustainable development and climate change, conflict and crisis prevention, humanitarian issues and development financing, can only be solved through joint efforts of all countries. The international community must strengthen cooperation, innovate solutions, and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. He also highlighted that since reform and opening up, China has made remarkable achievements in poverty reduction and demonstrated a strong capacity for learning and transformation in addressing environmental challenges. The global community should interact more with China to learning, investing, and practicing together.
Participants agreed that we should adhere to multilateralism and the international system centered on the United Nations, step up coordination of macroeconomic policies, and oppose protectionism to mitigate spillover effects. The G20, IMF, and WTO should take the lead, and countries in the Asia-Pacific region should set an example. We should promote sustainable development, promoting the comprehensive and timely implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on addressing development financing issues and helping the Global South with capacity building to avoid digital divides. We should take a down-to-earth attitude, and focus on action. Execution plans should be developed as soon as possible at global, regional, national and business levels, to ensure implementation and practical outcomes. Broad partnerships should be established, enhancing experience sharing and capacity building. We should also accommodateneeds of women, youth, and the elderly, ensuring that no one is left behind. We should constantly review and evaluate relevant work progress, locating merits and demerits, and ensuring optimal allocation of resources.
