Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 26 September 2020, a high-level international video conference on poverty reduction and South-South cooperation was held, which was organized by the Government of the PRC jointly with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the UN Development Program.

Among the conference participants were Member of the State Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC Wang Yi, First Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Lew Zhenming, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Kazakhstan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and other developing countries

At the conference, Wang Yi said that China, as a good brother, friend and partner of other developing countries, is always ready to contribute to their success. 

“As part of such efforts, China prioritizes the common interests of countries and invariably strives to match its development with the common development of all developing countries,” said Wang Yi.

Wang Yi noted that, through South-South cooperation, China has provided more than 400 billion yuan (about 58.5 billion US dollars) in aid to foreign countries and built about 3,000 projects completed on time.

In the face of the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, China has sent 34 teams of medical experts to 32 countries around the world, and has also provided 283 batches of anti-epidemic drugs to 150 countries and four international organizations, he said.

Wang Yi stressed that China will fully implement the measures in the field of anti-epidemic cooperation, presented by the head of the PRC during the 73rd World Health Assembly. These measures include the provision of US$2 billion in international aid over two years, the establishment of a cooperation mechanism between Chinese hospitals and 30 hospitals in Africa, and the establishment of a warehouse and a global humanitarian aid center in China.

Several Chinese COVID-19 vaccines are currently in Phase III clinical trials. “Once they become available for introduction, these vaccines will become a global public good and will be provided to developing countries as a priority,” he said.

During a general debate at the 75th UN General Assembly, the Chinese leader announced that China will provide an additional US$50 million in support of the UN humanitarian response plan to the coronavirus pandemic, US$50 million to the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund for the third stage, will extend the duration of the China-UN Peacekeeping and Development Fund for 5 years after its expiration in 2025, and will also support the UN in the creation of the Global Center for Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation in China within the UN system and the International Big Data Center to promote the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"China will fully fulfill the above obligations in order to make a new contribution to poverty reduction and the development of the whole world," the Chinese Foreign Minister stressed.

The PRC Foreign Minister and UN representatives also stressed that a global pandemic threatens to push about 70-100 million people in the world into extreme poverty. In this regard, they noted the importance of strategic partnerships in the field of poverty reduction, strengthening the role of financial and technical assistance, which has become an even more important factor in the context of the pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan D. Kuchkarov noted in his speech that poverty reduction is a priority task set by the President of the country. It was emphasized that the long-term strategic goal of Uzbekistan is to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth, increase per capita income and reduce poverty and inequality. To achieve these goals, Uzbekistan is focusing on liberalization and structural reforms to strengthen the market economy.

In the speech, the delegation of Uzbekistan noted the need to strengthen global cooperation in the field of poverty reduction, and also separately highlighted the role of China, given the successful experience of this country in the fight against poverty.

The Uzbek side proposed the creation of a legal basis for cooperation between China and Uzbekistan in the field of poverty reduction, the organization of a business trip for employees of ministries and departments in the PRC to study the experience of poverty reduction and the attraction of a consultant from the Chinese side to the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction.

In turn, the Chinese side expressed its readiness to provide assistance and share its experience in the field of poverty reduction. Wang Yi noted: “Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has achieved important results in the area of poverty reduction, on which the Chinese side expresses sincere congratulations. We welcome colleagues from Uzbekistan to visit China to share experiences on poverty reduction. Each country has its own characteristics. I am confident that everyone can find their own way to eliminate poverty, corresponding to the situation in their country. "

The heads of delegations agreed on the importance of revitalizing international development partnerships, welcoming the Belt and Road Initiative and other regional and international cooperation initiatives that contribute to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The meeting also called on the audience to create a more open and inclusive development environment for developing countries, highlighting its critical importance, especially in a pandemic, to keep markets open to address disruptions in global supply chains.