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Statement by Ambassador WU Haitao at the High-level Symposium of Global Energy Interconnection: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

2017-11-01 22:08

 

Mr. Moderator, distinguished guests,

It gives me great pleasure to attend this high-level symposium to discuss the role of global energy interconnection in advancing the SDGs.

The 2015 UN Development Summit adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which established energy related targets on access, efficiency, renewable energy and means of implementation.

The SDG on energy is closely linked with those on poverty eradication, food security, clean water, sanitation, health, education and employment. The international community should step up efforts to accelerate their implementation.

First, achieve complete alignment with the SDGs. Countries need to fully combine the SDG on energy with their national development strategies so that the efforts invested in their implementation can be mutually reinforcing and form synergy. Countries need to gear their policies towards promoting development, increase input of public resources, scale up science, technology and innovation, and strengthen their internal driving force for development.

Second, establish a more equal and balanced global partnership for development. The status of North-South cooperation as the main channel must be upheld. The developed countries must honor their ODA commitments, increase support to the developing countries, particularly the African countries, the LDCs and the SIDS, in the energy area in terms of capital, technology and capacity building. The role of technology facilitation mechanisms needs to be fully leveraged. We also need to further strengthen South-South cooperation and enhance interconnectivity of infrastructure and international cooperation on production capacity, so that countries can use their respective advantages to support each other.

Third, keep improving the international environment for development. We need to push for the development of a multilateral trade system characterized by balance, win-win outcome and inclusiveness, create a system of fair, reasonable and transparent rules governing international economy, trade and investment, and promote well-regulated flow of elements of production, efficient allocation of resources and in-depth integration of markets. There is a need to support the equal participation of developing countries in global economic governance, including energy governance, and increase their representation and voice.

Four, let the UN play its coordinating role. As the core organ responsible for advancing the 17 SDGs, UN DESA should fully play its coordinating role to help member states comprehensively implement the 2030 Agenda. The 2018 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will review in depth the implementation of the goal in the energy area, and the international community should use it as an opportunity to create more favorable external conditions for the sustainable economic growth of the developing countries.

Mr. Moderator,

At the 2015 UN Development Summit, President Xi Jinping proposed on behalf of China the idea of building a global energy internet to meet the global electricity demand in a clean and green way. At the 2016 G20 Business Forum, President Xi pointed to the need to jointly shape a green and low-carbon global energy governance system and advance global cooperation for green development. China, upholding the concept of innovative, coordinated, green, open and benefit sharing development, has aligned the 2030 Agenda with its 13th Five Year Plan and medium and long-term national development strategies. We have actively promoted international cooperation in the energy area to help developing countries popularize modern energy and clean energy and implement the SDG on energy.

A global energy internet will be a positive catalyst for the transformation of the global development, composition and consumption of energy. It will be conducive to the development of clean industries that are green, low-carbon, energy efficient and environment friendly, and will give new impetus to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and promotion of the robust, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the global economy.

At the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping indicated in his report that China commits itself to the joint efforts to build a community of share future for mankind. China is willing to work with international community to jointly build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

Thank you, Mr. Moderator.

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