China Hosts Belt and Road Seminar on Climate Finance in Guangzhou

The Belt and Road Capacity-building Seminar on Financing Mechanisms and Carbon Finance, organised by the Department of Climate Change under China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, recently concluded in Guangzhou. The event provided a platform for sharing China’s expertise in climate finance and investment with 21 officials and professionals from 13 countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Laos, Cambodia, and Honduras.

According to China Economic Net, the seminar underscored the growing need for international cooperation in tackling climate change. "In line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, developed countries are obligated to provide financial, technical, and other forms of support to developing countries to assist them in addressing climate change. However, developed nations have not fulfilled their commitment to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance to developing countries. In this context, organising a seminar focused on climate finance holds significant importance, as it demonstrates China's concrete efforts in advancing South-South cooperation to combat climate change," stated Chen Zhihua, Deputy Director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.

Wide-ranging Discussions and Fieldwork

The seminar featured an array of lectures and field-based teaching sessions, delving into critical topics such as climate change, artificial intelligence, energy transition, carbon neutrality, the low-altitude economy, smart transportation, carbon market development, and green finance. These sessions highlighted innovative approaches to address global challenges while fostering sustainable development.

Expanding South-South Climate Cooperation

Chen Zhihua noted that China has already signed 53 memorandums of understanding on South-South cooperation with 42 developing countries to jointly establish low-carbon demonstration zones and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. To date, China has provided training to 2,600 officials and professionals from over 120 countries, further solidifying its role as a leader in climate change capacity-building.