ROME, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A pivotal gathering of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) was held in Rome on Monday, uniting global leaders at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters to advance sustainable development and the UN 2030 Agenda.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu hailed the GDI as a crucial platform for accelerating the UN 2030 Agenda, emphasizing its role in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and results-oriented action. He highlighted its alignment with FAO's mission and called for leveraging South-South Cooperation to advance sustainable agricultural and food systems globally.
Ambassador Zhang Lubiao, China's Permanent Representative to FAO, stressed the GDI's focus on food security and poverty reduction, showcasing China's collaborative efforts with the international community under the initiative's framework. He reiterated China's commitment to deepening cooperation with the Group of Friends and UN food agencies to achieve tangible results.
Jia Guide, China's Ambassador to Italy, described the GDI as a global public good offered by China that has garnered widespread support. He reaffirmed China's role as part of the "Global South" and pledged to work with all stakeholders to ensure the initiative's long-term success.
Representatives from the Group of Friends of the GDI and UN food agencies commended the initiative's impact. IFAD Assistant Vice President Donal Brown highlighted plans to strengthen agricultural financing and poverty alleviation under the GDI. WFP Executive Board Secretary Philip Ward expressed hope for enhanced South-South Cooperation.
Russian and Indonesian representatives also praised the GDI's priorities and expressed willingness to deepen collaboration on global food security and poverty reduction.
Co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture and the Chinese Embassy in Italy, the event attracted more than 200 participants from member and non-member states as well as international organizations, and marked the Group of Friends' first official gathering in Rome.
The GDI, a China-initiated UN platform, fosters cooperation, shares development insights, and advances global progress. Over 80 countries have joined its Group of Friends, with participation from more than 100 nations and numerous international organizations.
