13 April 2018: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) addressed Asian leaders on the importance of regional cooperation for achieving the SDGs, at the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). The international organization, initially proposed by the former heads of state of Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, serves as a platform for policy dialogue in Asia.

The BFA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Boao, Hainan Island, where its annual conferences take place. The 2018 conference convened from 8-11 April 2018, on the theme of ‘An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity.’ The meeting included a panel discussion on the SDGs with representatives of DESA, the World Bank, the UN Global Compact, academia, and other organizations.

Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, urged all countries to work together, and highlighted the involvement of many private companies in incorporating actions relevant to the SDGs in their business plans. He cited China’s Belt and Road Initiative as an example of regional cooperation that could potentially support efforts toward achieving the SDGs.

A US-China CEO Dialogue took place on 10 April during the annual conference, co-chaired by Chen Deming, China’s former Minister of Commerce, and Myron Brilliant, US Chamber of Commerce. Participants warned against imposing tariffs or other trade barriers, noting that both the US and China have identified issues in the trade relationship that are “a natural outcome of any mature trading relationship,” and that joint efforts should be made to reduce current tensions. [DESA Press Release] [BFA Website] [BFA Overview]