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Li Keqiang Attends the Opening Ceremony of the Seventh World Conservation Congress
2021-09-04 18:40

On September 3, 2021, Premier Li Keqiang attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Seventh World Conservation Congress (WCC) via video link.

Li Keqiang said, the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and Nature is embedded in the traditional Chinese culture. In recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to Nature conservation and sustainable development. In April this year, President Xi Jinping proposed at the Leaders Summit on Climate to jointly build a community of life for man and Nature. As a large country with 1.4 billion people, China respects Nature, conforms to Nature and protects Nature, and upholds the concept of ecological civilization while pursuing socialist modernization. The country promotes development and conservation in a mutually reinforcing way. Facing unprecedented challenges in global natural environment governance, the international community should act with resolve as never before to promote the building of a beautiful world where man and Nature coexist in harmony.

Noting that the Earth where we live is one ecosystem, Li Keqiang said, it is necessary to comprehensively consider all elements of natural ecology, strengthen the conservation of oceans, forests, grasslands and wetlands, and revive the sustainability of ecosystem. We also need to step up the restoration of protected areas where endangered species of wild fauna and flora live and eco-corridors to foster a network of biodiversity conservation.

Li Keqiang stressed, pursuing post-COVID economic recovery is a must for the development of humanity. In so doing, we need to keep to the path of green and low-carbon recovery. Nature-based solutions should be adopted to develop green finance, research and promote green technologies, develop the circular economy, and promote industrial transformation and upgrade. We need to live a green lifestyle, promote energy conservation and emission reduction across the board, and encourage a culture of frugal consumption, so that the green and low-carbon pursuit will inject lasting impetus into sustainable development.

Li Keqiang said, to tackle climate change, we need to look out for both current and long-term needs, and advance both mitigation and adaptation. We should limit greenhouse gas emissions by conserving energy and optimizing energy mix, keep increasing carbon sinks such as forest and ocean, to realize a win-win situation in common development and ecological conservation. We should uphold multilateralism and adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Li Keqiang pointed out, global ecological environmental governance needs to be further improved. We need to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and work for a fair and equitable system of global environmental governance for win-win cooperation. We must uphold the role of the United Nations as the main channel for rules-making in ecological governance, and seek the greatest common ground possible among all. Major countries need to step up to their responsibilities and play a positive leading role.

Li Keqiang emphasized the necessity for China to pursue a green transformation in the course of promoting economic and social development. Forest coverage rate and stock volume in the country have been increasing for 30 consecutive years, and the types of terrestrial ecosystems and major wildlife populations have been effectively protected. The recent elephant migration in China's Yunnan Province that drew widespread attention has shown our great emphasis on Nature protection while protecting biodiversity. China actively implements the Paris Agreement on climate change, with the world's largest carbon emissions trading market officially launched in the country not long ago. It requires painstaking efforts for China to protect Nature and achieve sustainable development during its modernization drive. China stands ready to work with all parties to build a clean and beautiful world.

Held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) once every four years, the WCC has an important influence in the global environmental and development fields. Themed with "One Nature, One Future", the present meeting was co-hosted by the French government and the IUCN. French President Emmanuel Macron, politicians from different countries and representatives from the business community attended the meeting.


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