LocationsOpening Remarks by Mr James George on Government Leadership Day at the 2024 Climate Resilience Exchange Week
December 12, 2024
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in China, James George, delivered opening remarks on Government Leadership Day at the 2024 Climate Resilience Exchange Week, Beijing, China.
Dear Ms. Paris Law, China Program Director of Oxfam Hong Kong
Dear Mr. Mohammad Mominul Hoque Bhuiyan, Economic Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing,
Distinguished guests, experts, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon!
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, I am delighted to welcome all of you to the Government Leadership Day, held as part of the Climate Resilience Exchange Week.
We come together with a common purpose: to strengthen capacities of key stakeholders to build climate-resilient societies.
Today’s meeting focuses on advancing this goal through discussions on new approaches and policy support and international cooperation that are required to accelerate climate action.
First and foremost, allow me to extend my gratitude to our partner organizations, Oxfam Hong Kong and China Sustainability Tribune, and everyone who has contributed to making this week possible.
Your dedication to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and action is truly commendable and essential for the success of our shared mission.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, we gather at a pivotal moment in history.
As all of us are painfully aware, climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a reality that impacts us all – everyday, everywhere on this planet.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have clearly pronounced that global temperatures have already risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
At the same time, around the world, we are witnessing on a daily basis - devastating floods sweeping away homes, prolonged droughts destroying livelihoods, and rising sea levels threatening to submerge entire islands.
Decades of development progress and investments are vanishing or being destroyed before us.
In 2022, natural disasters displaced over 30 million people, marking a stark increase in climate-induced migration.
The tangible evidence of these impacts underscores the utmost urgency with which we must act.
In the face of these pressing challenges, the role of government leadership is absolutely critical.
Governments hold a unique position that gives them the potential to transform the challenges posed by climate change into opportunities for sustainable development and lasting positive change.
The integration of climate considerations into national development plans ensures that we are not merely reacting to climate impacts but proactively enhancing the resilience of our societies.
Government leadership plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration.
There has much that has been advance by global and national commitments and actions.
Governments alone are not able to achieve this.
"At the heart of effective governance lies the engagement and empowerment of all communities. This necessitates policies that are inclusive and reflect the needs and aspirations of all citizens — women, youth, and marginalized and vulnerable groups by involving them in decision-making processes."
Only by uniting the private sector, civil society, academia, local community organizations, international finance institutions, and international development partners on a common agenda can we accelerate the action and pave way for innovative solutions at scale that might otherwise seem unattainable.
Additionally, effective governance forms the bedrock upon which we can build an integrated approach to climate resilience – one that tangibly and firmly connects diverse sectors such as agriculture, water management, infrastructure, energy and urban planning into a cohesive and comprehensive strategy.
Equally important is the role of governments in allocating and mobilizing resources strategically.
In an era where financial resources are often constrained, it is imperative that funding is directed toward initiatives that yield the greatest impact, particularly in supporting the most vulnerable communities.
Our colleagues in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that adaptation costs in developing countries could rise to $140–300 billion per year by 2030, and $280–500 billion per year by 2050.
By prioritizing investments in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and community-based adaptation projects, governments are ensuring that their citizens are better prepared to face the uncertainties of a changing climate.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At the heart of effective governance lies the engagement and empowerment of all communities.
This necessitates policies that are inclusive and reflect the needs and aspirations of all citizens — women, youth, and marginalized and vulnerable groups by involving them in decision-making processes.
Climate change knows no borders.
No nation is immune to the effects of climate change, and no nation can tackle it alone.
Over the years, UNDP has been committed to facilitating international cooperation, including through South-South Cooperation, and supporting governments on their climate adaptation journeys.
We are assisting governments in integrating climate risks and adaptation measures into national development plans and policies.
Our country offices globally are providing technical assistance, helping to strengthen evidence-based policy frameworks aligned with international climate commitments.
In addition, we are helping countries access and effectively utilize funding from global climate finance mechanisms.
By guiding governments through the intricacies of international finance, we enable them to implement large-scale adaptation projects that make real differences in the lives of their citizens.
Our work spanning over 140 countries, addresses the unique challenges each nation faces, from enhancing coastal resilience in small island developing states to promoting sustainable land management in drought-prone regions.
This week provides serves as a platform for all of us to exchange knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas.
Today is a testament to the power of collaboration in turning the tide on climate vulnerability and building a future that is truly resilient, sustainable, and inclusive for all and leaving no one behind,.
I am confident that this event will pave the way for meaningful collaboration driven by our commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the global climate agendas.
I thank you for your participation and wish you a productive and inspiring sessions ahead.
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