A Summary of the International Conference on the Poverty Reduction Strategy in the New Millennium: Emerging Issues, Experiences and Lessons at the Closing Ceremony

Zhang Lei, Managing Director of International Poverty Reduction Center in China
May 24, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen:
　The two-day schedule was intense but transient. At the close of the conference, on behalf of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, I express my sincere gratitude to the other host ---- International Food Policy Research Institute for their efforts to organizing the conference. My thanks also go to International Center for Agricultural and Rural Development of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, UNDP, DFID, National Nature Science Foundation of China, CICETE and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research for their support. And thank you, everybody sitting out there, for your participation.
　　The conference elaborated on the poverty related situation and issues emerging in the new millennium, evaluated and exchanged experience and lessons on economic growth, social development and poverty reduction in various countries. The participants provided the conference with invaluable insights and new ideas around the Role of Government and Civil Society, Local Governance and Public Provision, Rural/Urban Dynamics, Factor and Output Market, Poverty Reduction Policy in Lagging (Less-Developed) Regions, Targeted approach and safety nets, NGOs and Poverty Reduction and International Experiences and Collaboration, all of which would be conducive for next step of joint actions and sharpened targeting of the poor.
　　The conference is a showcase of the latest achievement in both the theory and practice of poverty reduction by relevant countries and institutions. It demonstrated the faster speed of development and higher demands of international community for knowledge, information and experience in the area of poverty reduction.
　　Here, taking this chance, I want to give you an introduction of IPRCC. As one of the important results achieved by the Shanghai Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction, IPRCC was jointly initiated, finance and organized by the Chinese Government, UNDP and other international institutions. Chinese President HU Jintao announced to the world in his speech at the 60th UN Anniversary Fundraising Summit on September 14, 2005 that the International Poverty Reduction Center was established in Beijing to make its contribution to worldwide poverty reduction. Chinese Premier WEN Jiabao stated in his speech at the 9th ASEAN+3 Summit on December 12, 2005 that UNDP had helped built up a regional center for poverty reduction and the center would offer to convene the second ASEAN+3 High-level Seminar on poverty reduction, so as to promote international collaboration in this area. These remarks indicated that the missions for IPRCC are exchange of poverty reduction experience, promotion of the procedure, conduction of theoretical research, optimization of policies, facilitation of international communication and enhancement of international cooperation. It also clearly highlighted that IPRCC can serve as a platform for international exchange on poverty reduction.
　　The missions, functions and positioning of IPRCC decide that the center should focus its agenda on training, exchange and research related to poverty reduction. Research serves and support exchange and training activities. Finding of research should be disseminated by exchange and transformed to practical capabilities and policies by training.
　　One year since its establishment, IPRCC has hosted the first International Seminar on Chinese Experience with Poverty reduction to give trainings to 53 government officials from 27 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania; and joined the World Bank Institute in organizing two training courses on Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation. This year we are going to have two seminars for Asian and African participants respectively and one at ministerial level from developing countries.
　　We hosted the Regional Seminar on East Asia Pro-Poor Economic Growth Policy, World Bank, Poverty Reduction Forum on Poverty Reduction and Harmonious Society to honor the 13th International Day of Poverty Reduction jointly with Dalian Municipal Government, and the Regional Seminar on Pro-Poor Macro Economic Policy in Asia and Pacific Region jointly with UNDP Regional Center in Colombo. This year, we are entrusted to hold the Second High-level Seminar on Poverty Reduction in ASEAN+3 region.
　　Thematic research programs have been development to accommodate the demands from training and exchange. And some research projects are scheduled for this year.
　　I introduced IPRCC with a purpose to air our desire for close collaboration with everybody present today, so as to facilitate sharing of knowledge, information and experience. In the end, I want to say let’s join our hands, push for an early achievement of MDGS and make our contribution to poverty reduction worldwide.
　　Now I announce the Conference is successfully completed. Wish every one of you a nice trip!