(Originally published on 05/18/2012)

The sharing of China’s science and technology with other developing countries was at the core of UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark’s message when she met with Mr. Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology. Commending the Ministry for its willingness to assist in solving global development challenges, she thanked Mr. Wan for his strong support to the work of the United Nations in China and pointed to achievements made in the sharing of China’s highly successful Technical Task Force model with Sri Lanka. Having already engaged in trilateral meetings with UNDP and representatives from its counterparts in Sri Lanka, she spoke of exciting times ahead for South-South Cooperation.

As UNDP’s mechanism for sharing knowledge and information, Mr. Wan stressed the importance of UNDP’s supporting role in promoting South-South Cooperation and efforts to reduce poverty, tackle climate change and cut carbon and energy intensity. Following this meeting it was agreed that relations between the two organisations would be enhanced through a series of international workshops and training, among other things. To cement this commitment, Miss Helen Clark witnessed the signing of a Framework for Exploring International Cooperation, detailing plans to initiate discussions with Africa and other areas in which China’s experiences can be of benefit.