10 May 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and China will collaborate to enhance South-South cooperation on climate change adaptation, according to a high-level agreement endorsed by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Through the agreement, UNEP and China agree to harness their “strengths, capacities and resources” to assist countries in the Global South with the fight against climate change.

Steiner stated that the agreement “sends another powerful message that China is committed to combating climate change, not only within its own borders, but across the Global South.” Steiner also commended China’s commitment to working with UNEP at a strategic level.

Premier Li indicated China’s willingness to collaborate with UNEP on green development and sustainable environmental management. Noting that China has contributed US$6 million to UNEP’s trust fund and that it plans to make future contributions to the fund, Li added that his country also wishes to “enhance communication, cooperation and coordination with UNEP and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in support of global environmental sustainability and action to combat climate change at the national and global levels.”

During their meeting, Steiner and Li discussed areas of mutual interest, including China’s efforts to transition to an inclusive green economy and priority issues on the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) agenda.

UNEP and China have collaborated on climate adaptation in Africa and Asia since 2008, with co-funding from the Government of China and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). [UNEP Press Release]