China's climate-change envoy stresses South-South cooperation

China will enhance its cooperation with other developing countries through supporting the establishment of low-carbon demonstration sites starting in 2016, according to China's special envoy on climate change.

Xie Zhenhua said during the sidelines of the United Nations climate talks in Paris that South-South cooperation is a vital element of North-South cooperation, an important approach for developing countries to find synergies, to support each other and to achieve sustainable development through a mutually beneficial way. He made his comments at the second South-South Cooperation on Climate Change Forum on Dec 6 at the China Pavilion in Le Bourget site.

China will also strengthen its cooperation with international cooperation institutions and provide more training for government and technical personnel in developing countries.

Wu Hongbo, under-secretary-general of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said South-South cooperation is a vital component of the worldwide effort to tackle climate change. South-South cooperation is crucial in areas including sharing knowledge and capacities in designing and implementing policy framework; technology transfer including in transitioning to sustainable energy; technology and mechanism capacity building; and access to data collection and analysis, said Wu.

Ibrahim Thiaw, deputy executive director of UNEP, said South-South cooperation has become a crucial component to cope with global climate change challenges. Many developing countries have moved to the frontline of international climate policy and taken a lead in defining and implementing low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable development pathways.

Naoko Ishii, CEO and chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, said forestry, urban development, eco-based adaptation and implementation of intended national determined contributions are key areas for South-South cooperation.

In addition to its official development assistance to other developing countries, China has provided about $6.5million to carry out South-South cooperation programs and activities to support African countries, least developed countries and small-island developing countries to tackle climate change challenges.

So far, China has cooperated with more than 20 developing countries and provided them with energy efficiency and renewable energy products and equipment. China has also taken the initiative to provide an early warning system on extreme weather events to other developing countries.

In terms of capacity building, so far China has trained more than 1,000 officials and technical personnel for developing countries.