My China chapter: Five years that enriched a 30-year UN journey

I arrived in China carrying two forms of baggage: an official letter of credentials that marked the beginning of my mandate, and a heart shaped by memories from some of the world's most fragile and complex environments. I assumed my role on Jan 16, 2021, and later presented my credentials to the Chinese president on April 14 of that year.

Five years later, as I reflect on this chapter — set within a 30-year journey with the United Nations — I return to a simple conviction: progress is rarely linear. It is uneven, often fragile, and sometimes contested. Yet it becomes possible — inevitable, even — when people choose to build bridges instead of walls.

My UN journey began in 1997 as a junior security officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was a formative lesson in how quickly societies can fracture, and how painstakingly they must be restored. From the Balkans to the Middle East, across Asia, Europe and Africa — through roles in peacekeeping and with UN International Children's Emergency Fund, UN Office for Project Services, UN Development Programme, UN Population Fund and the Red Cross Movement — I learned that realism and hope are not opposites. They must coexist. Realism keeps us grounded; hope keeps us moving.

China rekindled that hope in a powerful and distinctive way.

It has demonstrated what can happen when a nation commits to long-term vision, invests in its people, and fosters innovation at extraordinary scale. Witnessing this transformation firsthand has been both humbling and inspiring. I have spoken of China’s “exponential progress” in fields shaping our shared future — from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to quantum computing, fintech and clean energy. Yet innovation, when responsibly guided, is never just about economic acceleration. At its best, it expands the tools we have to fight hunger, inequality, and climate change. It widens possibility.

The UN does not simply “deliver” development. We partner, convene, advise, pilot and connect. As Resident Coordinator, my role has been to strengthen coherence across the UN system in China — aligning with national priorities while upholding our shared global values. That has meant working alongside ministries, provinces, academia, young leaders, the private sector, and civil society to translate global commitments — especially the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda — into practical cooperation.

One of the most inspiring dimensions of China’s development story is how strongly it resonates beyond its borders. At a time when many SDG targets remain off track globally, sharing what works is as important as mobilizing new resources. Throughout 2024 and 2025, as the world prepared for and advanced follow-up to the UN Summit of the Future, we convened dialogues across China on sustainable finance, digital cooperation, science and technology, and the rights and aspirations of future generations. These discussions were not abstract. They were grounded in a search for tangible pathways — connecting climate action, healthcare systems, AI and inclusive growth in ways that accelerate progress.

Over these five years, my admiration has also deepened for China’s expanding role in multilateral cooperation. By aligning national development efforts with the SDGs — in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and the green transition — and by strengthening South-South exchanges, China is contributing to shared global advancement. At a time marked by fragmentation and uncertainty, such practical, results-oriented partnership carries particular significance. It reflects a belief that global challenges cannot be solved in isolation.

Looking ahead, China's trajectory and the world's needs converge around three great transitions.

The first is the green transition. China's commitments to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality shape global supply chains, influence technology costs, and expand policy options worldwide. The responsibility now is to ensure that ambition translates into shared benefit and that green solutions become accessible to those who need them most.

The second is demographic change. China is navigating a profound population shift. While complex, it also presents opportunities: new industries, new services, and new models for healthy aging — the emergence of what is often called the “silver economy".  Ensuring dignity and inclusion across all stages of life will be central to sustained human development.

The third is digital and technological transformation. The question is no longer whether technology will reshape our societies, but whether it will do so equitably and safely. China's rapid advances underscore the importance of governance that keeps people at the center— ensuring AI and digital innovation expand opportunity rather than deepen divides.

If three decades of public service have taught me anything, it is that institutions matter profoundly — but individuals matter just as much. China reminded me of this in personal ways. During my time here, I undertook a disciplined health journey rooted in traditional practices. It strengthened my resilience and sharpened my focus — qualities essential in demanding times. It reinforced a belief I often share with young people: lasting progress begins with the conviction that change is possible, and the commitment to pursue it steadily, day by day.

Reflecting on my time in the country as my tenure draws to a close, I realize that I have witnessed aspirations were turned into action; and this experience reminds me that development is ultimately about expanding human choice and dignity.

The UN was founded on the idea that nations can solve problems together. That idea is not rhetorical — it is practical, urgent, and enduring. China’s story, in all its dynamism and complexity, offers lessons of long-term investment, courageous innovation, and a steadfast commitment to human well-being.

My hope is that the next chapter of UN-China cooperation will continue to be defined by pragmatic partnership — advancing the SDGs domestically and, through solidarity, supporting progress globally.

And to the next generation: in 1997, I entered the United Nations as a very junior staff member. Thirty years later, my conviction is stronger than ever. Your potential is not bounded by the horizon. The sky is not the limit. The universe is limitless.

The author is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.