Assistant Secretary-General,

Dear Colleagues,

At the outset, I wish to thank ASG Hart for convening today’s meeting.

Last year, COP27 took place successfully in Egypt, reflecting global community’s willingness and action arrangements to address climate change. This year, the international community will conduct the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. COP28 will be an important juncture for us to continue and deepen the theme of COP27, that is, “together for implementation”, and take the global stocktake as an opportunity to send a positive message of focused action and accelerated cooperation.

First, the global stocktake must be focused on implementation. It is important to demonstrate the outcomes in implementing the Convention and the Paris Agreement, comprehensively assess the relevant progress, evaluate the gaps between the targets and efforts of developed countries and their emission reduction obligations, identify inadequate support needed by developing countries, and promote the comprehensive, balanced, and effective implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Second, greater efforts must be made to address the concerns of developing countries. Before COP28, developed countries should earnestly honor their 100 billion US dollar climate finance commitment, clarify the roadmap for doubling the adaptation finance, and make greater contributions to the formulation of a new collective quantified goal after 2025. COP28 should reach a strong decision on the global adaptation target, complete the building of the mechanism for loss and damage finance, and effectively address the need for financial, technological and capacity-building support by developing countries.

Third, we must earnestly promote just and green transition. The response to climate change must be based on the national conditions and capabilities of each country under the sustainable development framework. Lip services, unrealistic or one-size-fits-all approaches may seem ambitious, but in fact will only undermine the multilateral process on climate change. We must take an active and pragmatic approach to effectively coordinate the relations between climate change and poverty eradication, energy security, employment, economic growth, and other areas, and promote countries’ just transition towards a green, low-carbon, and climate-resilient society.

Fourth, we must practice true multilateralism. All countries are living in a community with a shared future, and multilateralism is the only way to address climate change. Certain countries are taking protectionist measures and building green barriers in the name of climate change response, which seriously undermines the mutual trust and momentum of global cooperation against climate change. All parties should pool their strengths and together reject any form of unilateralism, so as to create a positive atmosphere for the implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

China will continue its role as a responsible major country. We will firmly honor our commitment to carbon peak and neutrality, accelerate green and low-carbon development, actively support the preparation of COP28, and work on key negotiation issues such as adaptation, finance, loss and damage, and mitigation to achieve the expected outcomes.

Thank you.