Dear Assistant Secretary-General Julio,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

Good afternoon!

It's a pleasure to join you today. I thank OHCHR for organizing this timely event and for its dedicated work on economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR). I also appreciate the contributions of all our partners and friends present today.

We meet amid profound global changes and widening deficits in security, development and governance. Yet our shared aspiration remains unchanged: a better life for all, and a more just, balanced and inclusive system of global human rights governance. In this connection, the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China last year could inspire our way forward, which can be captured in three keywords for our discussion today: People. Multilateralism. Actions.

First, human rights promotion should be anchored in a people-centered approach.

Human rights cannot fully flourish where people's basic needs go unmet. This was reflected in Nobel Prize laureate Bertrand Russell's famous “bread and democracy” argument. Access to food, healthcare, social security, adequate housing and a cultural life underpins enjoyment of civil and political rights.

Our view has always been that ESCR, including the right to development, are equally important as civil and political rights. They are universal, indivisible, interrelated and interdependent, as affirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action.    

China's approach to human rights is to put people first, share the fruits of development more widely and fairly, and promote meaningful participation in national governance through whole-process people's democracy. 

Second, human rights governance should be bolstered by multilateral cooperation.

Economic, social and cultural challenges cross borders. Advancing ESCR therefore requires true multilateralism grounded in dialogue on an equal footing, mutual learning, and respect for countries' different human rights paths based on their own national conditions.

China has endeavored to turn this into institutional progress. In 2023, together with fellow developing countries, we advanced HRC resolution 54/22, which requested the establishment of the ESCR Knowledge Hub. We welcome its inception in 2024, and the launch of an online platform last year to strengthen sharing of best practices. 

We commend OHCHR for turning this mandate into a practical platform. It deserves sustained support, and the active contributions of all stakeholders. Let us join hands to make the Hub a place where shared knowledge is turned into shared progress.

Third, human rights progress should be driven by concrete actions.

China has consistently prioritized ESCR in its National Human Rights Action Plans, making remarkable progress in poverty reduction and building the world's largest systems of healthcare, education and social security. We believe that such experience can be shared, as part of our efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation for stronger capacity building.

In this spirit, China hosted ESCR training workshops for Global South countries in 2024 and 2025. The third workshop will take place next month and we look forward to your active participation.

Looking ahead, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can facilitate realization of ESCR. We encourage the Hub to harness such opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and ensure that technological progress benefits all.

Dear Colleagues,

China remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing all human rights. We stand ready to work with all partners, in New York, Geneva and beyond, to build stronger consensus on ESCR and the right to development. Together, let us steer global human rights governance onto the right track, and create a future where everybody enjoys security, prosperity and dignity.  

Thank you.