China-Africa Seminar on Economic and Technological Development Zones and Sustainable Development Held in Beijing

16 January, 2013 --- Sponsored by IPRCC and UNDP, co-organized by China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges and Chongqing Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, China-Africa Seminar on Economic and Technological Development Zones and Sustainable Development” was held at Beijing Fraternal Cooperation International Hotel. Liu Shuwen, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Social Mobilization, LGOP, Christophe Bahuet, UNDP China Country Director, and Edward Sambili, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of State for Planning, National Development & Vision 2030 addressed the opening ceremony upon invitation. IPRCC Assistant Director General Wang Shu presided over the opening ceremony.

         

Themed on “Economic and Technological Development and Sustainable Development”, the seven-day seminar was designed to help China and African countries promote policy sharing and experience exchange in the field of poverty reduction and development, analyze their problems and challenges in sustainable development and poverty reduction, and discuss ways to improve their mode and strategy of development and poverty reduction.

         

The meeting consisted of two parts: seminar and field trip. The seminar was held in Beijing and further divided into five themed sessions, including “China’s Economic and Social Development, Poverty Alleviation Strategic Framework and Profile of Economic and Technological Development Zones”, “Progress and Achievement of African countries in Constructing and Managing Economic and Technological Development Zones”, “Mode and Experience of China and African Countries in Managing and Operating Economic and Technological Development Zones”, “Economic and Technological Development Zones and China-Africa National Economic and Social Development” and “Economic and Technological Development Zones and China-Africa International Investment and Trade Development”.

The African delegates went on the field trip to Chongqing to inspect the construction and management of economic and technological development zones and its impact on local economic and social development as well as poverty reduction. 16 international representatives from 12 African countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa and other 20-odd delegates from national ministries, research institutions and relevant economic and technological development zones attended the meeting.