08-11 July,International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC) China-Africa Conference

The 5^th Annual Meeting of the China Society for Public Sector Reform and a seminar on Government Responsibility Systems took place on 11 May in Zhengzhou, Henan. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China Ms. Renata Dessallien addressed the event and joined other participants in exchanging views on how a government responsibility system should be established to help reach the public administration reform targets set at the 17^th and 18^th Party Congresses and in the 7^th round of government reform starting in March 2013.

The 1^st China (Shanghai) international Technology Fair (CSITF), jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science & Technology, State Intellectual Property Office and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, was held on 8-11 May 2013 in Shanghai. Under the theme of “innovation-Driven Development, Intellectual Property Protection and Technology Trade Promotion” the CSITF provided an important opportunity for the exhibition and promotion of new technology as well as promoting technological trade services.

The inception workshop for a joint research project by the Development Research Centre (DRC) of the State Council and UNDP was held on 6 May 2013 at the UN Compound in Beijing. The study - entitled "Strategies to Promote an Integrated, Coordinated and Equitable Social Welfare System in China" - aims to provide policy recommendations for addressing social fragmentation and several other key issues with the country's social welfare system. It is a continuation of UNDP's longstanding efforts to assist the Chinese government to tackle inequality.

UNDP China entered a new public-private partnership with HNA Group at a charity event hosted by the company on 28 April in Haikou, Hainan Province. Deputy Country Director Patrick Haverman was in attendance as a part of a star-studded guest list that included notable figures in the charity and business sectors as well as well-known singers, actors and other public figures.

April 17 saw UNDP China host the 2013 Rule of Law Donors Roundtable, co-organised with the Ford Foundation. The Country Office welcomed over 50 participants from 27 embassies, development partners and civil society organisations to discuss China's developmental state with regard to the rule of law under the theme of "Constitutionalism" and exchange information about rule of law development projects and initiatives. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Renata Dessallien introduced the UN General Assembly's Resolution on Rule of Law which laid out a forward-looking agenda for strengthening the rule of law.

Last month UNDP welcomed Professor Li Shi, "Changjiang Scholar" Distinguished Professor of Ministry of Education and Professor at the School of Economics and Management of Beijing Normal University to hold a policy dialogue with UNDP staff and selected guests at the UN compound in Beijing. Professor Li commented on the findings of a joint UNDP-China Development Research Foundation study on income distribution and shared his interpretation of the reform guidelines on income distribution that were released earlier this year.

A high level roundtable meeting on 2013's Human Development Report "Rise of the South - Human Progress in a Diverse World" was held on Thursday in Beijing. Mr. Khalid Malik, Head of the Human Development Report Office at UNDP HQ, Mr. Cheng Siwei, Vice-chairman of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr. Christophe Bahuet, Country Director of UNDP China, Mr. Lu Mai, Secretary-General of China Development Research Foundation, Mr. Chi Fulin, President, China (Hainan) Institute of Reform and Development, and more than 40 representatives from government and think tanks participated in discussions on South-South cooperation and the changing global role of China in light of the 2013Human Development Report's findings.

UNDP China took part today in the worldwide launch of the 2013 Human Development Report. Produced by the UN, the report is a yearly stock-taking of global human development progress and contains a wealth of data, paramount among which is the Human Development Index (HDI) - a composite measurement of development that takes in more than economic indicators alone.

The second round of consultations in China on the Post-2015 Development Agenda took place on Monday in Beijing. Renata Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator, Zhang Xiao'an, Vice President of the United Nations Association, and more than 100 representatives from social organizations, UN agencies and government agencies participated in discussion of what the global development roadmap should look like after the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals'(MDGs) lifespan.

UNDP China personnel have completed a recent mission to Ghana from 17-28 February. The trip looked at how Chinese renewable technologies could be used to meet Ghana's local needs for affordable and effective off-grid energy solutions. During its time in the country the team was able to visit staff and pupils at the Methodist Senior Girls' boarding school in Manfe.

UNDP China undertook a mission to Ghana from 17-28 February with a team of Chinese technology and policy experts and a representative from Ministry of Science and Technology's environment agency, ACCA21. In this new collaboration funded by the Danish Government UNDP China is to develop a project with Ghana on transferring renewable energy technologies from China. The planned support will focus on the modalities required to make the local absorption of new technologies effective, including removing barriers and building local capacities, know-how and best practices. The current initiative is a partnership between the Energy Commission in Ghana and UNDP Country Offices in China and Ghana.

On January 28th at the Executive Board session in New York, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark officially launched the second edition of The Development Advocate.
The publication contains 12 winning stories as per decision of an international jury from the UNDP's second storytelling competition: 1st place - Brazil (Eco-Stoves Empower Indigenous Women); 2nd place - Bangladesh (Empowering Women to Fight Poverty); 3rd place - China (Farmers Plant a Seed for a Chemical-free Future).

Power of Philanthropy: Annual Conference of Philanthropy China 2012 had its grand opening on 19th Jan, 2013 in Beijing. This annual meeting, guided by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and co-hosted by China Charity & Donation Information Center together with over 20 charity groups, demonstrated the achievements and contributions made by philanthropiccircle in China in the past year and awarded “2012 individual of philanthropic promotion”.

The China-Africa Seminar on Economic and Technological Development Zones (ETDZs) and Sustainable Development was convened on 16-22 January 2013 in Beijing and Chongqing, co-sponsored by UNDP and International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC). 14 government officials with a close mandate on development zones from 11 African countries participated and held discussions with Chinese government officials, academics and practitioners as well as representatives from the China-Africa Business Council and Chinese enterprises active in Africa.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the United Nations development Programme (UNDP) today launched a new programme to help low income countries in Asia improve their resilience to natural disasters. Sharing and Learning on Community-Based Disaster Management in Asia hopes to strengthen regional co-operation with a first phase running until March 2015.

In an effort to promote low carbon travel among the UN staff in China, UNDP launched a pilot initiative through which employees will now be able to travel to meetings and other engagements using 3 new UN bikes - registered UN666, UN888 and UN007.

UNDP Deputy Country Director Patrick Haverman attended a Seminar on Public Participation in Government Performance Assessments on 20 December 2012 in Binzhou, Shandong Province. The seminar brought teams of government performance experts from top Chinese universities together to provide insights into the planning stages of a pilot programme in Binzhou.

‘Valuing Volunteering for A Beautiful China’ was the theme of the 2012 Volunteering Expo Plenary Forum at Peking University on 18 December. The forum showcased how volunteers are transforming Chinese towns and cities and giving of their time to provide valuable public services to poor and vulnerable groups nationwide.

The 2012 High-Level Policy Forum on Global Governance was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and provided experts from four continents with an opportunity to discuss a new role for developing countries in international affairs.

UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan travelled to Shanghai on 15 December 2012 to inspect the implementation and results of a UNDP/UNV project that is working to strengthen volunteering cooperation for regional development. While in Shanghai, Ms. Grynspan celebrated International Volunteer Day with over one thousand volunteers and children with special needs at the City Theatre.

The Small Grants Programme has received the 2012 National Public Welfare Figure Prize of Water Protection for its efforts to support non-governmental organisations that are protecting international waters. With a special emphasis on organisations engaged in reducing land-based pollution and restoring and protecting China's coastal habitats, the Small Grants Programme is part of the Global Environment Facility and is administered in China by UNDP.

UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan witnessed the signing of a new partnership to promote sustainable development within the Ningbo Municipality. The new partnership will be the first pilot of UNDP's provincial approach to cooperate with the local government directly and comes after an agreement was reached on strategic areas of cooperation with the Ningbo Municipal Government and China Centre for Economic and Technical Exchange.

UNDP Associate Administrator spent a day visiting patients at the Daytop Drug Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Centre in Yunnan, where a pioneering approach to care is helping patients to fully reintegrate within society. After sharing some personal experiences with patients Ms. Grynspan was given a tour of the centre and witnessed how UNDP has been supporting the centre to strengthen its capacity to provide legal services to patients living with HIV.

UNDP witnessed the signing of the first contracts aimed at phasing out HCFC gases in China's industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. As part of the 12th Fiver-Year Plan, contracts were signed between the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association and four Chinese enterprises.

In the first of a series of high-level meetings with Chinese leaders, UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan held talks with Vice-Minister of Commerce Li Jinzao. During which, Vice-Minister Li spoke of his appreciation for UNDP's commitment to China's development including more recent support as China seeks to share its development experiences with the world.

Ms. Grynspan emphasized the roles of civic participation and monitoring in protecting the rights of the vulnerable and holding the state to account. Ms. Grynspan showed interest and support towards CSOs and public interest lawyers, given their growing role in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups and in raising awareness of environmental rights, particularly through environmental trials, as well as their role in bringing about change in policies and in legislation.

Mr. Sha Zhukang, former UN Under-Secretary-General on Social and Economic Affairs and Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Country Director attended a joint press conference with China Business Network (CBN) to unveil a new global initiative entitled 'The Future We Want: Road to the Future'.

UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan will undertake an 8 day official visit to China from 9-17 December 2012. During this time Ms. Grynspan will meet government officials in Beijing before travelling to Yunnan to meet patients undergoing a pioneering approach to treatment at a UNDP-supported drug rehabilitation centre in Kunming.

More than 6,000 people gathered at the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. This UN observance has been held since 1985 and the 2012 event was jointly organised by the China Volunteers Association (CVA) to raise awareness of the millions of people around the world that are actively engaged in the service of others.

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark called on world leaders to look at the obvious signs of progress amid ongoing talks at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-18) in Doha, Qatar. Her remarks came at a side event to the conference on 4 December 2012, in which she focused on the 'clear science' of climate change.

The prospects for millions of lawyers and citizens across the Asia-Pacific region has received a timely boost with the establishment of a new platform for exchanging experiences and best practices in developing the next generation of legal experts, at the 2012 Asia-Pacific Forum on Clinical Legal Education.

UNDP Deputy Country Director Patrick Haverman delivered a speech at the final competition of the Chengdu Pambassador Program, a global initiative organized by the Chengdu Municipal Government, Wild Aid and the Yao Foundation, aimed to find champions for protecting the endangered species and raise awareness about panda conservation throughout the world in support of global biodiversity.

The China International Green Innovative Products & Technologies Show 2012 was held from November 9-11 in Guangzhou. With the theme of green innovation and low-carbon development, this event is an important platform to showcase world leading green technologies, products and services from home and abroad. It aims to implement China's energy conservation and emission reduction agenda under the 12th Five-year plan and promote efforts to meet environmental and energy efficiency targets.

An international forum entitled The Road towards an Equitable and Sustainable Development - The Future of Emerging Countries was held in Haikou City, Hainan Province. The event focused on a wide range of topics, including strategies for achieving equitable and sustainable development, growth outlooks in emerging countries, economic transformation and structural reform, social policy and development, and cooperation trends among emerging countries.

UNDP Country Director, Mr. Christophe Bahuet delivered a speech at the 2012 China International Conference on Food Safety in Xiamen, China. The theme of the conference revolved around the control of microbiological hazards and the need to ensure that food safety regulations keep pace with rapid global development in food industries.

The UN Theme Group on China in the World held a meeting on the topic of ‘Doing Responsible Business in Africa’. Following increasing Chinese investment in its relations with African countries, the event brought together representatives from over 15 countries and development organisations to deepen understanding on international best practices, lessons learned and possible ways forward in corporate governance, an emerging area of South-South Cooperation.

The need for inclusive social services was at the centre of a high level forum held in Beijing to mark the 2012 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Reading a special message that was delivered on behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Renata Dessallien called for a greater investment in inclusive social services that are capable of reducing poverty and turning inequalities into opportunities for promoting economic growth.

Millions of ordinary Chinese people were again given the chance to engage in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the road to a sustainable future at this year's 2012 Social Good Summit. With the aim of becoming the world's largest and most dynamic conversation in history, the event kicked-off in Beijing with the inspiring short public service film '2032: The Future We Want' - which was itself produced by UNDP following a social media campaign that engaged over 3 million people in China and which has since been aired to over 20 million people worldwide.

At the Conference on Corporate Governance of Public Service Unit Reform, UNDP Resident Representative Renata Dessallien shared some insights into how UNDP has been supporting public sector reform in China. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Ms. Dessallien was one of a number of foreign dignitaries invited to participate in the conference, which is dedicated to identifying solutions for reform among China's 1.3 million public sector organisations.

UNDP Resident Representative in China, Renata Dessallien, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2012 and the China-Southeast Asia Peace and Development Forum in Shenzhen, China. The two-day event was co-organised by the Chinese Peoples Association for Peace and Disarmament, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the UN System in China, with the theme for the event focused on 'sustainable peace for sustainable development'.

UNDP Country Director, Christophe Bahuet witnessed the signing of the second phase of a joint project that will aim to strengthen Beijing's voluntary services through seek greater public engagement locally, as well as regional and international cooperation.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the Chinese people for joining hundreds of millions of people around the world in sharing their visions and hopes for the future at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June, known as Rio+20. His remarks came at a event held today in Beijing recognizing the millions of people in China who participated through social media in a global campaign called "The Future We Want", which he personally launched in 2011.

UNDP Country Director, Mr. Christophe Bahuet gave a speech at the opening ceremony of a 21-day training programme on Special Economic Zones (SEZ). The event was held by the Ministry of Commerce in Tianjin - one of China's own coastal economic development areas - and was attended by around 25 government officials from various French-Speaking African Countries.

At a policy dialogue on 'Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Movements in China', Professor Liu Baocheng, Director of the Centre for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics, shared his perspective on the importance of building CSR upon a firm foundation of civil society.

UNDP held a China in the World Extended Group Meeting with guest speaker Dr. Daouda Cisse from the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University, South-Africa. During his remarks on the impact of China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on countries in Africa, Dr. Cisse's presentation centred on the great progress made in pursuit of stronger and more comprehensive Sino-African trade.

A report on the impacts of policies that affect income distribution was launched at a workshop to promote equitable development in China. The report, entitled “China - Income Distribution during a Transition Period”, was undertaken by the China Development Research Foundation with support from UNDP, and places special emphasis on policies adopted since the turn of the century.

At a seminar aimed at improving understanding between the public and private sector, Mr. Paul Mak, President of Mary Kay (China), gave an insightful presentation on the differences between increasing profit and maximising value for society.

After five year of close cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), European Union and the government of China held a closing ceremony to mark the end of the Governance for Equitable (GED) programme.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing financial crisis, The 5^th Multinational Corporations Leaders Roundtable has provided a timely boost to sustainable development efforts, with companies being encouraged to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through their overseas operations.

A new public-service film entitled "2032: The Future We Want" has been produced and released by UNDP China, supported by the Department of Public Information of the UN Headquarters. Designed to draw on the convening power of Rio+20, the five minute film contains powerful expressions of hope and inspiration from people across China whose messages were broadcast to state leaders and a global audience during the UN summit.

UNDP and the Ministry of Science and Technology held a side event to promote the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21) at Rio+20, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

The potential for green technologies to contribute to environmentally sustainable economic growth was at the centre of a side event held by UNDP and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology in Rio de Janeiro.

Sustainable development leaders gathered in Brazil, at a side-event aimed at showcasing China's achievements in poverty alleviation over the past thirty years at Rio+20.

At the opening of the International Seminar on Combating Desertification, an official ceremony was held to coincide with the World Day to Combat Desertification.

At the launch of the Green Pioneer of Room Air Conditioners, UNDP unveiled that it is to follow up on its success in helping to establish new national energy efficient refrigerator standards and supply chains, by working with the government on a similar initiative in the air conditioner industry.

Environmental conservationist, Mr. Yuan Xueshun, also known as China’s ‘Swan Dad’, has received the prestigious ‘2010-2011 China Green Figure’ award for his work in protecting migrating Whopper Swans.

In the face of shared challenges regarding effective global governance, Ms. Renata Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, attended the opening ceremony of the China Centre for Global Governance and Development (CCGGD) and delivered a keynote speech on the need for more efficient and truly representative global governance.

As it seeks to enhance its advocacy of the vital role that the private sector will play in pursuit of sustainable development, UNDP joined the China Development Bank Corporation (CDB) at a press conference to launch the CDB Social Responsibility Report 2011.

Ms. Renata Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, concluded a visit to Jiangsu Province where she gained insights on the progress of China's Super Ministry Reform initiatives being undertaken at the local level.

UNDP released the first study on how China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 has impacted the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDC). The study was presented at the launch of the China Development Research Foundation’s latest publication, “China: Ten Years after WTO Accession”.

In line with China's rapid rise on the international stage, UNDP and Professor Kishore Mahbubani, former Permanent Secretary of Singapore Foreign Affairs led a delegation on a scoping mission on behalf of the UNDP Global Governance Initiative.

Leading experts from think-tanks, academia and other development organisations convened at a roundtable event to discuss the future global development framework that could follow the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The agenda featured the unique and groundbreaking nature of the MDGs and what should follow when they come to their natural conclusion in 2015, as well as how the global decision making process moves forward towards a new set of goals.

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, met with Mr. Li Shishi, Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission (LAC) of the National People's Congress, to identify ways in which UNDP can work with China to enhance the rule of law.

During her four-day visit, Miss Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, attended an event to promote a new UNDP initiative aimed at encouraging the private sector to enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profiles, as well as integrating the three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - within their business operations.

The sharing of China's science and technology with other developing countries was at the core of UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark's message when she met with Mr. Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology.

In her penultimate meeting with China's leaders, Miss Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, met with Mr. Li Liguo, Minister of Civil Affairs, to identify ways in which UNDP can further support the development of Chinese civil society, disaster risk reduction and improve resilience.

Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, met with Premier Wen Jiabao to discuss the vital role that China will play in determining the success of the global sustainable development agenda, as well as UNDP's strengthened partnership with China.

Helen Clark became the first senior UN official to host a live microblog chat specifically targeting Chinese speaking audiences this afternoon, when she answered questions submitted by microblog users from across the country.

UNDP Administrator Miss Helen Clark met with Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss cooperation opportunities between UNDP and China on global and regional issues.

UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark, and Vice-Minister of Commerce, Mr. Li Jinzao held productive talks on future cooperation between the two organisations.

Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, kicked off her official visit to China today. As her first stop of the visit, Miss Clark met with Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice-Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in an effort to deepen the collaboration between the two parties.

Senior government and business leaders gathered in the Chongqing to discuss how the Liangjiang New Area can contribute to sustainable development through its businesses.

Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Chair of the United Nations Development Group, will pay an official visit to China from 16 to 19 May. During her visit, Miss Clark will hold high-level discussions with state leaders and senior government officials on future collaboration with UNDP, as well as the major outcomes of the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Conference, expected to be the largest event in the history of the United Nations.

People across China were sent a powerful message today as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador and leading actress Zhou Xun released a video message calling on the public to share their hopes for the future. The video is intended to remind people of the power of a positive vision for the future ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) later this year in June.

UNDP and CDB hosted a UN Theme Group on China in the World extended meeting.

More than 400 students participating in the 2012 Beijing Model United Nations were given insights into the issues and challenges that will be discussed by world leaders when they gather at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development later this year. The event was held over a period of three days from 6-8 April 2012, during which students were able to engage with representatives from the United Nations system in China.