The second China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Cooperation opened on Dec 8 in Kunming, focusing on topics such as cooperation in ocean economy of China-Indian Ocean region, ocean disaster prevention, biodiversity and marine ecological environmental protection, and the sustainable development of Indian Ocean island nations.
Xiao Jie, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said in a keynote speech that with the current complex international situation, and sluggish recovery of the world economy, the implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2023) program is notably lagging.
China and Indian Ocean region countries as natural partners in promoting ocean cooperation needs further cooperation and communication to jointly promote blue development.
Presidents of Kenya, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Egypt delivered video speeches. Vice president of the Maldives, minister of trade and tourism of Djibouti, minister of public works and infrastructure of South Africa, minister of Comoros, and vice chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO delivered speeches on site.
In their speeches, they warned that the current global challenges pose significant obstacles to the timely realization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum was a collaboration of countries promoting blue cooperation and supporting global development.
Luo Zhaohui, director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), stated that CIDCA is committed to working hand in hand with all parties to fully promote the implementation of the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the three major global initiatives.
Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Somalia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Thailand, and other countries' representatives attended the forum, along with ambassadors and diplomatic officials from some of these nations. Delegates from international organizations and institutions were also present at the forum.
