(Originally published on 09/11/2015)

An international forum was held today in Beijing to discuss internet finance regulatory policies and share innovative practices, in China and around the world. The event was jointly hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange (CICETE) and the China Association of Microfinance and Huizhong Wealth Management.

“Accelerating financial inclusion is a priority for poverty alleviation globally. Internet finance is a useful tool that can make a huge difference,” said Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Country Director. “Today, the nternet has made it possible to enlarge scale and reduce costs for financial inclusion, through platforms such as P2P lending and mobile banking,” he added. 

The Internet Finance (P2P Lending) Innovation Forum was attended by representatives from the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), the State Council Development Research Center, regional financial offices, international organizations, and internet finance companies.

This event was part of UNDP and CICETE’s Building Inclusive Financial System in China programme. In addition to organizing platforms for knowledge exchange among internet finance stakeholders such as the Forum, the programme also plans to establish an inclusive finance research center and cooperate with the Research Department of PBOC to promote internet finance policies and practices.

During the Forum, participants discussed the newly released regulatory guidelines called Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Sustainable Development of Internet Finance, and shared different perspectives on risk management in inclusive finance and international practices. Participants also engaged in a panel discussion around challenges and new opportunities facing China’s Internet finance sector.

Funded by the Huizhong Group, the Forum provided a unique opportunity for regulatory authorities, research institutions and private sector companies to work together to achieve inclusive finance for poverty reduction.

As the first organization to introduce microfinance in China, UNDP has been working since 1994 with the Chinese government to push for inclusive finance for poverty alleviation. With 48 microfinance pilot projects in 17 provinces, the partnership has greatly contributed to the development of microfinance in China.

(Originally published on 10/14/2015)

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action at the UN Women’s Conference in 1995, the International Forum on Women was held in Beijing on 14-16th October 2015. The forum, themed “Women. Development. Future”, was hosted by UNDP China and China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCL) and invited more than one hundred representatives from government institutions, academia, and international and national organizations. Among the participants, eminent female leaders from the US, Russia, Germany and Italy were present to share successful experiences at the three-day forum.  

The opening session was held at the Beijing V-Continental Park View Hotel.  Mme. Gu Xiulian formally opened the forum, and Mr. Qi Mingqiu, the Executive Chairman of CSCL Foundation, Ms. Meng Xiaosi, the Vice Minister of All China Women Federation, Ms. Agi Veres, Country Director of UNDP China and Ms. Julia Broussard, Country Programme Manager of UN Women, delivered remarks.

 “Women are the creators of materialistic and spiritual civilizations; they are an important force to drive forward social development and progress. Without women, there wouldn’t be human kind,” said Qi, quoting Chinese President Xi Jin Pings address delivered at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in New York last month.

The forum aimed to renew the commitment from the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action and reinvigorate the engagement to take actions on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Furthermore, the forum was used to discuss how to ensure better future development of women across the world in line with the recently-adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seeks to “achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls” before 2030. It served as an important platform for international and national experts to exchange information and share experiences.

“Women’s rights are human rights. We are, today, at a critical point in history.  The year 2015 is a special one. Not only for looking back at what we have achieved in development, but also for anticipating and defining the next steps based on those reflections.” Said Agi at her speech.

Mr. Qi Mingqiu pointed out that gender equality is a global topic. “The whole international community are dedicated to realize equal rights between men and women. More and more women are active in social, economic and political areas.”

Vice Minister Meng Xiaosi also addressed the forum and emphasized that gender equality is the state policy in China. “The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action is the blueprint for women development, and President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed our commitment and political willingness to enhance the efforts.”

The forum lasted for three days and included a plenary session and roundtable discussions on four thematic areas: globalization and women economic development; poverty alleviation and rural women; gender equality, women's empowerment and the future.