Focusing on Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation | Yantai Successfully Hosted the High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change

On November 15th, the High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation in Responding to Climate Change was successfully held at the China Pavilion of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan. This forum was jointly organized by the Center for International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the People's Government of Yantai City. It aimed to build consensus on climate action among South-South countries, deepen South-South cooperation on climate change under the "Belt and Road Initiative", and jointly promote the green and low-carbon modernization process.

During his speech, the Minister of Ecology and Environment of China stated that, at the Launch Ceremony of the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative on the 13th, the city of Yantai, on behalf of 32 co-sponsors, released the "International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative". The Initiative calls on global island stakeholders to further strengthen international zero-carbon island cooperation on the basis of existing consensus and work achievements, with the objective of attaining island sustainable development. The Initiative was endorsed and supported by numerous political dignitaries and guests present at the meeting.

Zheng Deyan, the Deputy Secretary of the Yantai Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Yantai, delivered a keynote speech titled "Establishing the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization and Building a Bridge for Global Island Interconnection and Mutual Assistance". He explained the background of the establishment of the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization, its foundational ideas, and cooperation areas, and further stated that, as the leading initiator of the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative and the key organizer of the cooperation organization, Yantai will bring together the efforts of all parties, facilitate exchanges and cooperation among islands, and jointly forge a bright future for zero-carbon islands.

"Through our exploration and practice, we have realized that islands are facing a severe climate crisis. Consequently, there is an urgent need to establish an international organization that focuses on the sustainable development of islands", Zheng Deyan stated. Yantai's proposal to establish the "International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization" has received strong recognition and positive responses from relevant state ministries and commissions, as well as numerous island countries, island cities, international organizations, research institutions, and enterprises.

In the special seminar titled "Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation to Foster the Optimal Practices in Global Climate Governance" during the forum, Kirlin Zonelle James, the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Renewable Energy of Grenada, stated that the importance of the zero-carbon path for islands cannot be underestimated. Zero-carbon island cooperation provides a powerful platform that enables the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of best practices globally. Raed Mardini, the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub of the United Nations Development Programme, noted that small island countries are at the forefront of responding to climate change, and their pursuit of net-zero carbon targets is of great significance. Wang Xin, the Director of the Research Bureau of the People's Bank of China, stated that support will be given to the construction of zero-carbon islands, with the assessment and response to climate-related financial risks being strengthened, and enhanced exchanges and cooperation in areas such as zero-carbon island construction and ecological protection. Xin Shuren, the Chairman of the Evergrowing Bank, asserted that the construction of zero-carbon islands represents a typical example of responding to climate change. The Evergrowing Bank will strive to promote more funding to support the green and low-carbon transformation and development of islands. Ding Ding, the Deputy Director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, stated in his speech, "We will fully support the establishment of the International Zero-Carbon Island Alliance and jointly build a platform for resource sharing, technology exchange, experience sharing, and project cooperation."

Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Secretariat, Elnur Soltanov, the CEO of COP29, Liu Hua, Deputy DG of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Katy van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, and Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, along with other Chinese and foreign dignitaries, attended the forum. Zhao Yingmin, Head of the Chinese COP29 Delegation and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, presided over the forum.

The successful holding of this High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation in Responding to Climate Change has not only provided a crucial platform for countries to engage in meaningful exchanges and cooperation but also demonstrated Yantai's leading role in international zero-carbon island cooperation. Attendees expressed that the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative proposed by Yantai has injected new impetus into the sustainable development of global islands and climate action worldwide.