2017, 'Year of multilateralism first' for United Nations

CHINA: STRONG ADVOCATE, SUPPORTER

Nicholas Rosellini, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China, said that China has been positioning itself as a champion for inclusive growth and peace at the United Nations, where Member States have pledged to "leave no one behind" with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Citing the fact that China has become the largest contributor of troops and second-largest contributor of funds to UN peacekeeping missions among the five permanent members of the Security Council, he said that China, through its new UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, has pledged one billion U.S. dollars to support multilateral cooperation.

"China is also committing to increasing its contributions to the UN development system by $100 million by the year 2020," he said.

Aa a matter of fact, China is taking a lead on supporting implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), earmarking hundreds of millions to support global efforts to reduce poverty and improve education and health. And, to much relief, it is holding fast to commitments it made during the international climate negotiations to achieve the historic Paris Agreement and its concrete follow-ups.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Dec. 20, that the destabilizing factors and instabilities in the international landscape have been on the increase and new problems and new challenges have kept popping up.

"We stand ready to make concerted efforts with the international community to jointly address challenges, uphold peace and promote development," she concluded.