Speech by Chairman Luo Zhaohui at Launch Ceremony of Cooperation, Exchange and Training Base for Global Women’s Cause Development and Seminar on Global Women’s Development and Cooperation

Speech by Chairman Luo Zhaohui at Launch Ceremony of Cooperation, Exchange and Training Base for Global Women's Cause Development and Seminar on Global Women's Development and Cooperation

(April 29, 9:00 am, China Women's University)

Honorable Madam Huang Xiaowei, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Vice-President of the All-China Women's Federation,

Honorable Madam Zhang Dongmei, Vice-President of the All-China Women's Federation,

Honorable Mr Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in China,

H.E. Mr Aliaksandr, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in China,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

Good morning! 

It's my great honor to co-host today's event with the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF). 

The great role of women has long been honored throughout China's history and in its legends. Once upon a time, Nv Wa (女娲), a kind Goddess, repaired heaven when it was broken; Chang'e (嫦娥) flew to the moon and still lives on it. You can image what a great and important role Chinese women play. 

Friends, 

Gender equality is an important goal of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs), a fundamental human right, and a solid foundation for world peace and prosperity. About three years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which is in line with the SDGs, including the promotion of gender equality and women's well-being. 

The CIDCA, in charge of China's foreign aid and international development cooperation, has been coordinating the GDI's implementation. We have always attached great importance to the promotion of global women's cause, and have never stopped on the journey of advancing women's empowerment and gender equality. 

We have actively implemented the initiatives announced by President Xi at the Global Summit of Women. A total of 100 health projects for women and children in Asia and Africa have already been completed. 

We have supported capacity building for women in developing countries, trained more than 200,000 female talents in more than 180 countries, and significantly enhanced women's ability to participate in political and economic activities. 

In cooperation with the UNDP, UNICEF, the UNFPA, the RC office in China and other international organizations, we have provided women with assistance in the areas of nutrition, health and poverty alleviation, and ensured that women can enjoy the fruits of development on an equal footing. 

We are here together today to witness the establishment of the Cooperation, Exchange and Training Base, which is our latest joint effort to strengthen and promote women's development, engagement and interaction globally. It also symbolizes our dedication to women holding up half of the sky and our tireless efforts to make it happen. 

Friends, 

Women often bear the brunt of war, disease, terror and violence. The realization of gender equality has a long way to go in many places. As a career diplomat, I have traveled to a lot of countries. Regardless of being developed or developing, rural or urban, women as a disadvantaged group have long suffered from inequality. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, it would take about 300 years to achieve true gender equality. We must redouble our efforts and accelerate our actions. Together with our partners, we will continue to increase our support for women's international development cooperation. 

I would like to share my insights with the following points. 

Firstly, we will continue to intensify our efforts to train women. Human resource development (HRD) is one of the important aspects of China Aid. Last year, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of HRD cooperation with foreign countries. Next, we will pay more special attention to training female talents to help them gain decent employment and economic independence. More educational opportunities will be created for women's leadership and social development degrees to empower women and raise their status. 

Secondly, we will continue to carry out "small yet smart" projects. We will give full play to the role of the Global Development Project Pool and the Fund Pool under the GDI framework, and provide various financing support. Short-cycle projects that can yield quick results will be established and implemented in key areas of women's development, such as poverty reduction, education, health care and climate change. "Small yet smart" projects safeguard the rights and interests of women and improve their livelihoods through the course of development, to support and help them enjoy a colorful life. 

Thirdly, we will continue to support the UN’s leading role in the cause of women's development. We appreciate the UN System-Wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan and the Invest in Women initiative, and support the UN in  placing women at the center of its overall work, continuously investing more in the elimination of violence, discrimination, and poverty, and making efforts to address new challenges including the gender digital divide. 

Fourthly, the establishment of the Base is a new beginning in the interaction and cooperation between the CIDCA and the ACWF. The CIDCA will mobilize more resources for the Base. Of course, the Base not only belongs to the CIDCA and the ACWF, but also belongs to all relevant UN agencies, and women's institutions all over the world. We believe that the new platform will play an increasingly important role in the promotion of its aim － as indicated in its name － global women's cooperation, exchanges and training. Here, I would like to express my gratitude specially to Madam Huang Xiaowei for her passion for Chinese women's development cause and the establishment of the Base. 

In China we have an old saying which goes "Anything a man can do, a woman can do." Let us continue to unite and forge ahead to promote women's progress and unleash their potential. Together, we can build a more equal and sustainable future and a community with a shared future for mankind. Thank you!