World encouraged to pool strengths, take action

President Xi Jinping called on the international community to pool its strengths to tackle global challenges, such as climate change and energy issues, with concrete action when he addressed the 16th Group of 20 Leaders' Summit via video link on Sunday.

Xi said the frequent occurrences of extreme, disastrous weather in recent years and the recent turbulence in the global energy market have both reminded people of the importance of striking a balance between environmental protection and economic development, and this requires enhanced cooperation among major economies.

While the global society is more and more willing and motivated to address challenges with joint efforts, Xi stressed that the key is taking practical action.

He said that the UN should be the main channel for the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Noting that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be the cornerstone, he said that the implementation must be based on international law and guided by effective actions. Xi called on all parties to speed up their respective actions and enhance cooperation.

The president said that to address climate change and realize energy transformation ultimately depends on technological progress, and the G20 members should play a leading role in promoting the expanded use of advanced technologies.

He also urged developed countries to earnestly honor their commitments of providing financial support for developing countries.

Xi said that the COVID-19 pandemic once again showed that all countries, with their destinies closely connected and their interests intertwined, form a community with a shared future for mankind.

To promote the sustainable development of developing countries will not only benefit the people of those countries, but also matter for the future of the whole of mankind and the world, he said.

He called on the G20 to build consensus and step up efforts to realize stronger, greener and healthier global development in an effort to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Xi said that development should be people-centered by focusing on solving such problems as unbalanced development, and he called on the G20 members to enhance cooperation in key fields such as poverty reduction, food security, industrialization and interconnectivity.

China stands ready to continue to contribute Chinese wisdom and proposals through the G20 platform, he said.

He also called for supporting the UN to play a coordinated role, deepening global development partnerships and building a community with a shared future for global development.

China will align its Global Development Initiative with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so as to jointly push forward global development, Xi added.

The G20 is an international forum that brings together the world's major economies. Its members account for more than 80 percent of the world's GDP, 75 percent of global trade and 60 percent of people on Earth.

The forum has been held every year since 1999 and since 2008 has included an annual summit, with the participation of the leaders of G20 countries.

This year's G20 Leaders' Summit was held on Saturday and Sunday in Rome.