Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Transformative Global Governance: China and the United Nations

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　Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Transformative Global Governance:

China and the United NationsAmb.

 LU Shumin,

President of UNA-China

Shanghai   13 January2014

Dear distinguished guests,

Good morning.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Conference on the Transformative Global Governance: China and the United Nations. This conference is co-hosted by the UNA-China, the UNITAR and the Fudan University. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Shanghai UN Research Association (SUNRA), Z-Dow Group, China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong for their excellent arrangementsLadies and gentleman,

global governance is in flux. The current global order confronts several constraints simultaneously, including managing the global shift of power, securing the provision of global goods, filling the gaps between the UN mandates and its operations on the ground, managing the role of non-state actors against the state-centric concept, and addressing the issue of coordination and coherence within and outside the UN system. Events, elements, relations and transformation are moving with the 21st-century speed, often outpacing the institutions and systems designed for another age.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Against this backdrop, the international architecture is put to the test. We need to improve the global governance structure, which will leave no one behind, put sustainable development at its core, transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth, build peace and effective, open and accountable institutions for all, and above all, forge a new global partnership with all stakeholders on board. In this context, I would like to share the following views with you.

First, the global governance structure must be inclusive and effective, which will allow the broad participation of all stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, will prioritize the increase of representation and voice of the developing countries and emerging powers, and will tackle the global risks and challenges in a holistic and coordinated way.

Second, the global governance structure must be featuring fairness and democracy in both agenda-setting and decision-making processes, taking into account of views and concerns of all parties in a balanced manner.

Third, the global governance structure must stick to multilateralism. The United Nations, as the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization, plays an irreplaceable role in international affairs and should be at the core of the global governance mechanism. Meanwhile, other international, regional organizations and minilateral groupings have important and indispensable roles to play. Therefore, we need to address coordination and coherence among different organizations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China is an active and responsible player of global governance. I would like to brief you on China’s development. 2013 is an extraordinary year for China. In 2013, we made an overall plan on comprehensively deepening reform and laid out a grand blueprint for future development. This has clearly reflected in the Decision adopted by the recent Third Plenary Session of the 18th CCPCC. According to the Decision, we are committed to carrying out economic structural adjustment, developing education in science and technology, conserving energy and other resources, intensifying efforts to protect and develop ecological environment, narrowing the development gap among different regions and between urban and rural areas, and securing and improving people’s livelihood. In the same year, the Chinese new leadership put forward the Chinese dream, featuring national rejuvenation, economic prosperity and people’s well-being. In essence, it is about the pursuit of happiness, peace and harmony, which is in full conformity with the purposes and principles of the global governance and the UN. The realization of the Chinese dream is a major contribution to global governance, and will bring more opportunities of cooperation to the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The UNA-China is the only national NGO in China dedicated to informing, inspiring and mobilizing the Chinese people to support the ideals and the work of the UN. The UNA-China has been working hard in accomplishing its tasks by centering on 3 pillars, namely, UN research and studies, promotion and educational training on the UN knowledge, and participation in the UN activities. Last year, for example, the UNA-China and the UN Office in China, among others, conducted and completed in good spirit a joint report on the National Consultation on Post-2015 Development Agenda. My colleague, Madam Zhang Xiao’an, will brief you in detail on what the UNA-China has done in this subject in the following workshop. Last year, we supported the foundation of the SUNRA, a new-born UN research body based in Shanghai and one of the organizers of the conference. Moreover, we hosted the 10th China National Model UN, the 3rd session of International Civil Servant Training Courses for college students. Looking into the future, it is my sincere hope to explore more possibilities of cooperation with all concerned parties, especially the UN system.

Last but not least, I wish this conference a great success and a Happy Chinese New Year to all!

Thank you!