(Originally published on 09/11/2015)

An international forum was held today in Beijing to discuss internet finance regulatory policies and share innovative practices, in China and around the world. The event was jointly hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange (CICETE) and the China Association of Microfinance and Huizhong Wealth Management.

“Accelerating financial inclusion is a priority for poverty alleviation globally. Internet finance is a useful tool that can make a huge difference,” said Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Country Director. “Today, the nternet has made it possible to enlarge scale and reduce costs for financial inclusion, through platforms such as P2P lending and mobile banking,” he added. 

The Internet Finance (P2P Lending) Innovation Forum was attended by representatives from the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), the State Council Development Research Center, regional financial offices, international organizations, and internet finance companies.

This event was part of UNDP and CICETE’s Building Inclusive Financial System in China programme. In addition to organizing platforms for knowledge exchange among internet finance stakeholders such as the Forum, the programme also plans to establish an inclusive finance research center and cooperate with the Research Department of PBOC to promote internet finance policies and practices.

During the Forum, participants discussed the newly released regulatory guidelines called Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Sustainable Development of Internet Finance, and shared different perspectives on risk management in inclusive finance and international practices. Participants also engaged in a panel discussion around challenges and new opportunities facing China’s Internet finance sector.

Funded by the Huizhong Group, the Forum provided a unique opportunity for regulatory authorities, research institutions and private sector companies to work together to achieve inclusive finance for poverty reduction.

As the first organization to introduce microfinance in China, UNDP has been working since 1994 with the Chinese government to push for inclusive finance for poverty alleviation. With 48 microfinance pilot projects in 17 provinces, the partnership has greatly contributed to the development of microfinance in China.

(Originally published on 11/06/2015)

6 November , Xiamen­- The 2015 World Ocean Week (WOW) today officially commenced in Xiamen, China. Co-supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the Xiamen Municipal Government and The Partnership in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA). This annual event has been serving as a platform to connect marine and social science, technology and public awareness with experiences in policy making and management towards achieving a sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary the World Ocean Week, was this year themed “Jointly Building the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road, Marine Cooperation between China and Silk Road Countries”. Ms. Agi Veres, UNDP China Country Director gave her opening remarks and emphasized the importance of cooperation among nations to protect the oceans and to achieve the new adopted Sustainable Development Goals.

As the Cradle of life, ocean plays an important role in both individual nations and the global economy. Globally, the costal and marine environment’s goods and services are estimated at 2.5 trillion USD per year. Yet, the long-term ecological health and sustainability of the marine and coastal environments are at risk, and the ocean degradation has become a global challenge.

Agi Veres, during her opening remarks noted,“no nation can spare itself from global issues. This is also true for oceans, with their obvious interconnectivity, no nation can fight this complex battle alone.” She called for collective action among states to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of marine resources, and to protect the marine environment.

Ms. Veres said that China has showed innovation and willingness to break new paths to address its own and other countries’ development challenges, which can be clearly demonstrated by new initiatives such as The Belt and Road initiative and G20. China has been promoting cooperation with other countries along the marine silk road to build the “21^st Century Maritime Silk Route Economic Belt” and WOW offers the opportunity to establish bonds among nations that share the rights and responsibilities of the oceans.

 “I hope that WOW will maintain its strong influence”, said Ms. Veres, “and even further facilitate the healthy development of marine industries, promote the sustainable utilization of marine resources and raise people’s awareness of marine environmental protection in the new dynamics of eco-civilization in China and the world.”