Civil Society 20 China 2016 (C20) was successfully convened in Qingdao on July 5th and 6th. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to the Conference. State Councilor Yang Jiechi attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Sun Jiazheng, Vice-Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), Essam Sharaf-former Prime Minister of Egypt and Chairman of Sustainable Development Agency, Bhokin Bhalakula, former Prime Minister, Vice-President of Phanomyong Foundation, Lee ByoungHee, Former Deputy Speaker of National Assembly of Republic of Korea and other distinguished guests from home and aboard attended the conference with over 210 representatives of 170-plus NGOs from 54 countries and regions. CNIE sent its representatives as a co-organizer of the Conference together with UN Association of China,

 

President Xi Jinping’s Message of Congratulations Drew Warm Responses from Representatives

 

President Xi Jinping pointed out in the message: “Civil society organizations play an important role in promoting civic participation in public affairs as well as economic and social development of their own countries. The Chinese Government supports the participation of Chinese social organizations in economic and social development of the country. In the same vein, the Chinese Government welcomes the conduct of friendly exchanges and cooperation in China by foreign non-governmental organizations. Efforts are being made to facilitate their operation in China and protect their legitimate rights and interests through creating an enabling legislative environment.”

 

The message acknowledged role of non-governmental and social organizations and elaborated China’s relevant policies and ideas, sparking heated discussion among representatives, especially foreign guests. Hun Many, member of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Secretary General of Mass Movement Committee of Cambodian People’s Party said, President Xi Jinping’s message demonstrates his attention and support to the C20 Conference. He believed C20 could become a very important platform which “pools various stakeholders to share their ideas and be more inclusive” thanks to efforts made by the Chinese side. Joseph Chilengi, Presiding Officer of Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union said the message greatly encourages the participants in the Conference, and the fact China attaches great importance to the role of civil society, especially in fields of poverty alleviation and innovation, also motivates African civil society. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistan, Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute and Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor said President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory message shows the attachment of the Chinese Government on the Conference and its support to the NGOs. Essam Sharaf former Prime Miniter of Egypt and Chairman of Sustainable Development Agency said he appreciates China’s efforts to promote development of international NGOs. He said China’s commitment to protecting legitimate rights and interests of NGOs by creating an enabling legislative environment can help NGOs play a better role. 

 

Representatives Contribute Wisdom to Global Poverty Alleviation, Development and Innovation

 

The Conference, themed “Poverty Eradication, Green Development and Innovation: Role of Civil Society” echoes G20 summit. Two plenary sessions and three panel discussions were held during the meeting. State Councilor Yang Jiechi spoke highly of the theme by pointing out at the opening ceremony that the theme of C20 corresponds to that of G20 Hangzhou Summit and shows the civil society’s focus on issues such as poverty alleviation, development and innovation. The Chinese Government has always been committed to the above-mentioned endeavors and achieved remarkable results. It supports stronger communication, coordination and cooperation among NGOs at home and abroad.

 

Representatives exchanged views and shared observations over the theme of the Conference. They agreed that poverty eradication is an important target set by the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and to achieve this target, countries have to transform from traditional GDP-oriented development to green development which needs to be driven by innovation. NGOs of various countries must strengthen their cooperation, propose their plans and make their contribution to the cause.

 

Quoting the ancient Chinese saying “teaching one to fish is better than giving him fish”, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of African Political Parties Tijani Salih Fatil pointed out that to end poverty, the impoverished population must be empowered to expand their knowledge, learn new skills, build up physical strength, be informed of their rights and interests and be guaranteed such rights and interests. A development-oriented approach and poor population’s participation shall be advocated in poverty alleviation. Diane Regas, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund put forward the concept of “green supply chain”, which promotes clustered development of energy-conserving, environmental-friendly industries and establishment of recycling development industrial system. Civil society is encouraged to take action in long-term transformation towards a low-carbon, climate adaptable and sustainable society, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with governments, financial institutions and enterprises to promote the social transformation. Marcelo Gonsalves, Secretary General of Brazilian National Food and Nutrition Safety Committee, shared an example originating from civil society — economical bed — a water-saving irrigation method which is applied in food production, which stirred up interests and imagination among representatives from Myanmar and Indonesia. Ms. Lang Ping, associate researcher from Society of Emerging Economies pointed out that innovation not only refers to research and development, but also includes renewal of organizations and ideas. The major driving forces for innovation come from the civil society, including 4 factors-- skill education and entrepreneurship, infrastructure for research and development, regulation environment and economic framework and innovative policies.

 

The Conference Formed Outcome Documents Including the C20 Communique

 

As a result of candid and in-depth exchanges between representatives and solicitation of online suggestion, the Conference produced and adopted the C20 Communique as an important outcome. The document proposed constructive initiatives concerning One Belt and One Road, development-oriented poverty alleviation, inclusive development and climate governance. Representatives commonly believed the Communique covers a wide range of issues, includes novel ideas and reflects current hot topics. The Communique was submitted to Secretariat of G20 Hangzhou Summit Preparatory Committee.

 

The Communique is divided into four parts: Poverty Eradication and Shared Development, Unity of Knowing and Doing in Green Development, Championing the Future through Innovation, and Government and the Civil Society Joining Hands for Common Progress.

 

On poverty eradication, the Communique proposed that the key to end poverty is to help the impoverished population expanding knowledge, learning new skills and building up physical strength. Criteria for poverty reduction shall be further refined and a multi-pronged assessment system shall be established.?The Communique emphasized green development and pointed out innovation has always been the driving force behind human progress. At the end, the Communique called on governments and civil society organizations strengthen cooperation and make concerted efforts to address poverty eradication, green development and innovation, and hoped NGOs to focus their attention on major global development issues supposedly in the realm of government responsibilities and state agendas.

 

Sun Jiazheng delivered closing speech and thanked various parties for their active participation. He expressed the hope that the civil society, on the basis of consensus reached in the Communique could boldly shoulder responsibilities, take rapid actions, and strengthen cooperation in the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual-learning so as to improve the well-being of peoples of all countries.  Bhokin Bhalakula and other foreign representatives thanked the Chinese host for successfully holding the meeting and hoped to take the opportunity to deepen exchanges and cooperation in civil society. They also expressed the belief that the 2016 G20 summit would be more successful because of the C20.  

 

Deputy Secretary General Liu Kaiyang attended the meeting and exchanged views with representatives from home and abroad over a wide range of topics, in particular green development.

 

C20, a platform for the civil society to propose suggestion to governments and all walks of life over the theme of G20 summit, is an important supplement activity to G20 summit. Initiated in 2013, the previous three C20 Conferences were held in Moscow, Russia in June 2013, Melbourne, Australia in June 2014, and Istanbul, Turkey in September 2015 respectively.