On 20 August 2026, the 18th ASEAN-China Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction (the Forum) was successfully held online by International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC). Under the theme of “Poverty Reduction and Rural Revitalization: Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind Free from Poverty”, the Forum brought together around 100 representatives from agriculture and poverty reduction related authorities of China and ASEAN member states, international organizations, embassies and consulates in China, think tanks, the private sector and the media.

The year 2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and also serves as the first year of implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). The aim of the Forum is to implement the outcomes of the 28th ASEAN-China Leaders’ Meeting, advance policy dialogue and experience sharing between the two sides on poverty reduction and rural development, and make positive contribution to fostering a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Representatives of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the ASEAN Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other organizatios attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Representative of the IPRCC moderated the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session III of the Forum, and delivered the closing summary.

Participants unanimously agree that China and ASEAN member states are confronted with common challenges in poverty reduction and rural revitalization, as well as enjoy broad space for cooperation. All sides are willing to continue leveraging the ASEAN-China Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction mechanism to deepen policy dialogue, experience sharing and practical cooperation, work together to attain the poverty reduction targets under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build a community with a shared future for mankind free from poverty together.