Opening Remarks in the Regional Training Workshop on Pro-Poor Macroeconomic Policies in Asia and the Pacific
By Mr. Zhang Lei, Managing Director of
International Poverty Reduction Center in China
October 24, 2005
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen：
Good morning. I am glad to co-host the Regional
Training Workshop with UNDP Asia and Pacific Regional
Centre. On behalf of the International Poverty Reduction
Center in China, I would like to express my sincere
congratulation to the successful opening of the meeting
and my warmest welcome to all the participants.
Since poverty is a daunting challenge facing today’s
world, and a threat to civilization, progress and
development, it has received more concern throughout the
world. As the largest international organization
worldwide, the United Nations has long been pushing
forward international poverty reduction. The meeting is
to center on Pro-Poor Macroeconomic Policies which I
regard a highly significant topic. The enormous
achievement China made over the past two decades can be
attributed to the pro-poor policies, the stimulus of
rapid economic growth and specified programs for poverty
reduction.
Ladies and Gentlemen：
The International Poverty Reduction Center in China
was established to respond to the worldwide demands for
poverty reduction. The State Council Leading Group
Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, Chinese
Ministry of Commerce and UNDP jointly signed the MOU of
Establishing the International Poverty Reduction Center
in China (IPRCC for short) during the Shanghai Global
Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction in May of
last year, and the Program Document this May. Up to day,
the Center has come into full play.
The center was also born as a new evidence of China
bravely shouldering the international responsibility.
Last may, in the Shanghai Global Conference, Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao elaborated on China’s strong
resolution to carry on the principle of being
human-centered and to realize a comprehensive,
coordinated and sustainable development. The Premier
pledged to the world that the Chinese government is
willing to offer assistance to global poverty reduction.
This September, Chinese President Hu Jintao declared at
the meeting of Financing for Development of the UN
Summit for its 60th Anniversary that the International
Poverty Reduction Center was officially established in
Beijing with its mandate to contribute to the worldwide
anti-poverty campaign.
Ladies and Gentlemen：
The elimination of hunger and poverty, the realization
of the MDGs both require the international community to
strengthen cooperation and join efforts. IPRCC is
commissioned to disseminating successful experience,
innovating policies, enhancing international exchanges
and promoting South-south collaboration. It will partner
with other international organizations in the world to
effectively reduce the poverty. It will not hesitate in
exploring new approaches of poverty reduction. It will
do its utmost to evolve into an important platform of
world poverty reduction and a window for China to
exchange and communicate with international community.
The IPRCC is located in China but serves the world.
The development of IPRCC relies on close collaboration
with relevant international agencies. IPRCC will operate
in line with international logic and methodology. All
that is on the agenda of IPRCC will demonstrate openness
and cooperativeness to attract as much participation
from international organizations as possible. We
sincerely hope that our friends will continue to care
for and support our work both at present and in the
future. I believe the workshop is itself a rare
opportunity for the world to know about IPRCC and
cooperate with IPRCC in the next step.
Finally, I wish the workshop a complete success.
Thank you!
