China and World Bank Launch Ecological Cooperation Center in Beijing
In a significant step toward promoting environmental sustainability, the China-World Bank Group (WBG) Global Center for Ecological Systems and Transitions was officially launched in Beijing on Sunday. The center aims to focus on ecological restoration as its primary area of cooperation, symbolizing over four decades of collaboration between China and the World Bank.
China’s Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an and World Bank President Ajay Banga attended the inauguration ceremony and shared their visions for the future of ecological cooperation.
Minister Lan highlighted the importance of the new center in enhancing the longstanding partnership between China and the World Bank.
“This center represents the latest achievement in more than 40 years of cooperation between China and the World Bank. China’s development and progress have provided successful examples for the World Bank’s international cooperation. I look forward to the center being deeply rooted in this solid foundation of collaboration, promoting and supporting a more institutionalized and systematic cooperation, and creating a new benchmark and platform for China’s cooperation with the World Bank in the new era,” said Lan.
World Bank President Ajay Banga praised China’s efforts in ecosystem restoration and emphasized the valuable lessons learned in balancing economic development with environmental health.
“What China did is to undertake ambitious programs to restore ecosystems and landscapes. Some of these were in partnership with the World Bank Group,” Banga remarked. “These efforts are where the valuable lessons have come. You have demonstrated that creating jobs does not have to come at the expense of a livable planet.”
The establishment of the center reflects a mutual commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through collaborative efforts. By sharing expertise and resources, China and the World Bank aim to advance ecological restoration initiatives that support sustainable development and environmental preservation.
The China-WBG Global Center for Ecological Systems and Transitions is expected to serve as a platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and the development of best practices in ecological management. Its launch marks a new chapter in international cooperation, with a focus on creating a harmonious balance between economic growth and ecological sustainability.
Reference(s):
China-World Bank ecological cooperation center launched in Beijing
cgtn.com
