At the Boao Forum in China, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on states to do more to ensure that globalization benefits the greatest number of people and leaves no one behind.
Antonio Guterres expressed his deep conviction that globalization is irreversible, and that it has brought many benefits such as the integration of world economies, the expansion of trade and advances in communications and technology.
"Hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. Many more people are living longer, healthier lives. The global middle class is growing fast," noted the Secretary General at the conference, held in China's Hainan province.
"But we must also recognize that a large number of people are being left behind," stressed the UN chief. "Inequalities are systemic and growing". A fair globalization is one "that leaves no one behind" and shows a path to peace and sustainable development for individuals, communities and countries.
"But one thing must be very clear: we will not make globalization fair through isolationism, protectionism or exclusion," said Mr. Guterres. Recalling the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Secretary-General reiterated that "global problems need global multilateral solutions."
"With its 17 sustainable development goals, the 2030 Agenda is our plan for peace, prosperity and partnership for people and planet."
A call to take up the climate challenge
The UN chief took the opportunity of the Boao Forum to remind governments of the urgency of climate action.
"Climate change is a global threat in itself and a massive multiplier of other threats - poverty; humanitarian needs; conflict. That's why all the world's governments signed up to the Paris (Climate) Agreement in 2015," said Guterres.
The Secretary-General pointed out that climate change is moving even faster than we are, and that CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are now the highest in 800,000 years. "Scientists now fear that the Paris target will be unattainable unless we do more by 2020," he warned.
However, he was keen to stress that climate change was not inevitable. "The good news is that technology is on our side. Clean, green energy is more affordable and competitive than ever," said Mr. Guterres. "But, we still see huge investments - and subsidies - in fossil fuels. We need to eliminate this kind of contradiction, which could dig our own grave".
The Secretary General's visit to China was an opportunity for him to salute Beijing's leadership on a number of multilateral issues.
"China's path to eradicating poverty by 2020 proves that it is indeed possible to leave no one behind," said the UN chief, who also praised Beijing's political and practical climate action, including its ambitious renewable energy targets.
Forty years after the launch of reform and opening-up, "the sense of transformation is evident throughout China and in its relations with the world", said Mr. Guterres, citing President Xi Jinping'sBelt and Road Initiative. "By connecting the peoples and markets of Asia, Europe and Africa, including Latin America, this ambitious initiative can make a significant contribution to a fairer, more peaceful and more prosperous world."
On Monday, the Secretary General visited a training center for police peacekeepers. On this occasion, he paid tribute to the more than 2,400 Chinese peacekeepers serving around the world, and expressed his gratitude for China's commitment to UN peacekeeping.