The Sub-forum of FOCAC, the Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference, Explores Innovative Poverty Reduction Solutions in Johannesburg

Source: IPRCC Press

The Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference, a new Sub-forum of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is successfully opened today. The sub-forum is jointly hosted by the China State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development(LGOP) and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform of South Africa (DRDLR), co-organized by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), the DRDLR and the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation(FCSSC). The conference also receives strong support from the African Union (AU), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other international organizations.

The conference is attended by over 200 participants, including government officials from China and African countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Djibouti and Senegal, experts, scholars as well as representatives from international organizations, NGOs, the business community and the media. The forum is themed on “Towards Post-2015 Africa-China Sustainable Cooperation on Poverty Reduction and Development”. Conference participants, through vibrant discussion, share experience and challenge in poverty reduction of different countries, explore measures to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and innovative ways for more effective China-Africa cooperation on poverty reduction. H.E.Mr. Gugile Nkwinti, Minister of DRDLR of South Africa, Mr. Hong Tianyun, Vice Minister of LGOP of China, Mr. Yang Peidong, Acting Counsel-General of China to Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Wu Zhong, Vice President and Director-General of the FCSSC and Mr. Gana Fofang, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa addressed the opening ceremony of the Conference.

LGOP Vice Minister Hong Tianyun expresses in his remarks that “at the National Conference on Poverty Alleviation and Development in late November 2015, the Chinese central government drew a comprehensive poverty alleviation plan for the next five years. By 2020, China will lift all the remaining 70 million rural poor below China’s current poverty line out of poverty. All poor counties will no longer exist and regional poverty will be addressed. As Chinese President Xi pointed out at the 2015 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum held in Beijing, China, while pushing forward poverty alleviation domestically, China will strengthen international cooperation and help explore new models of international exchange and cooperation on poverty reduction based on mutually-benefitting principles. China will join hands with all countries to enhance global development partnership and advance South-North and South-South cooperation so that global fight against poverty can receive sufficient resources and gain a stronger momentum. China will fully implement the Program for Strengthening China-Africa Cooperation on Poverty Reduction between China and African Union and ensure that the fruits of development can truly be shared by local people. China will give full play to IPRCC as a platform for international exchanges to further facilitate the sharing of experience among developing countries and submit Chinese solutions and contribute Chinese wisdom to the poverty reduction endeavor across the globe.”

This Conference will last for a day and a half from 8th to 9th December. Participants will have discussion on issues including “China’s impacts on poverty reduction in Africa”, “Experience-sharing of China-Africa cooperation in poverty reduction”, “Prospects and key issues of China-Africa cooperation on poverty reduction” and “Exploring mechanisms and pathways for China-Africa cooperation on sustainable development”. On the afternoon of 9th, December, the conference participants will visit villages neighboring Pretoria for South Africa’s rural poverty reduction and development programs.

The Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference, the predecessor of this year’s sub-forum, has been successfully held for 5 consecutive years since 2010, covering issues like poverty reduction experience of China and Africa, poverty reduction and agricultural development, poverty reduction and infrastructure as well as poverty reduction and Special Economic Zones. After 5 years’ hard-work of all parties, the conference has become a core platform for poverty reduction exchanges between China and Africa.

After 15 years’ development since 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has expanded its original focus on politics and economy to areas like science, education, culture, healthcare and social undertakings. The FOCAC has achieved fruitful results. China-Africa cooperation has also developed from practical interaction towards a new stage of improved quality, enhanced effectiveness and comprehensive advancement. This year, the Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference has been incorporated in the framework of FOCAC. All this has provided further and effective support to the wide-ranged and practical cooperation on poverty reduction between China and Africa and demonstrated that both parties attach great importance to this cooperation. The FOCAC Sub-Forum- Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference, an important step in implementing the Program for Strengthening Cooperation on China-Africa Poverty Reduction between the People’s Republic of China and the African Union, receives staunch support from China, Africa as well as international organizations including the African Union and UNDP. The Conference will continue to contribute to the exchanges and cooperation of poverty reduction and development between China and Africa.