On July 25, 2017, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Mdm. Sun Baohong attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Climate Chane & Sustainable Development in Africa, which was held in Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo Region. More than 100 representatives including Hon. Evens Opoku Bobie, Deputy Regional Minister of Brong Ahafo, Professor Harrison Dapaah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Johnson Nkem, Senior Climate Adaption Expert of the African Union, and experts and scholars from Algeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo attended the opening ceremony.
Ambassador Sun, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, extended warm congratulations on the convening of this conference. Ambassador Sun said that Climate change is by far the biggest environmental issue facing mankind and one of the most complicated challenges to which human beings must respond. On addressing climate change, China adheres to treat both the symptoms and the root causes, abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, accommodate the conditions of various countries and stress practical results, and strengthen international cooperation.
Ambassador Sun pointed out that China, as the largest developing country, has taken the construction of ecological civilization and sustainable development as basic state policy. China firmly believes that the lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and puts forward the Five Major Concepts of Development, namely, innovation, co-ordination, green, opening-up and sharing. Domestically, China is committed to the promise of energy conservation and emission reduction and fulfill the targets set in the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. For this purpose, China’s National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was issued, and addressing climate change and sustainable development were included into the 13th Five-Year Plan. Externally, China is fulfilling its responsibility to promote international cooperation in addressing climate change. China is ready to seriously fulfill the obligations under the Paris Agreement and conduct series of systematic arrangements with a view to supporting the United Nations to play a greater role in carrying out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ambassador Sun stressed that no one can make an exception in the face of climate change. China and Africa are close-knit community with common interests and common destiny. Both sides need to make joint efforts to realize the goal of green and sustainable development. The both sides should work hand in hand to promote China-Africa green development cooperation and contribute our strength to realizing economic prosperity, social progress, beautiful environment and sustainable development.
The four-day International Conference on Climate Change & Sustainable Development in Africa (ICCCSDA 2017) themed by “Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Strengthening Africa’s Adaptive Capacity” is hosted by the University of Energy and Natural Resources.