LocationsRemarks by Mr. James George at the Conference of Partnerships for Rural Revitalization and Sustainable Development
January 22, 2026
UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in China, James George, delivered remarks at the Conference of Partnerships for Rural Revitalization and Sustainable Development held in Chengbu, Hunan Province, China.
Ms. Ai Yinfang, Deputy Director- General of China international Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE),
Ms Li Xin, Deputy Director General, International Poverty Reduction Center in China,
Mr. Simon Clements, Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme China Office,
Esteemed leaders from the People’s Government of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County, Yilong County, Guang’an District and Gonghe County
Academicians, guests, colleagues, and friends,
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme in China, it is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to Chengbu Miao Autonomous County for the Conference on Partnerships for Rural Revitalization and Sustainable Development.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to our longstanding partners, the Ministry of Commerce and CICETE.
My special heartfelt thanks also to the People’s Government of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County for their strong partnership and commitment over the years and for hosting us here today.
I was very delighted to have been able to participate in the field visit yesterday to view the projects and progress in this county.
Ladies and gentlemen,
With less than 5 years to the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that was adopted by all the United Nations Member States in 2015, today’s gathering is particular timely, addressing both a national development priority and a shared global concern.
To set the context of today’s conference, allow me to provide a backdrop of the development agenda we would like to share and discuss today and some perspectives for your consideration.
China’s success in eradicating poverty and lifting more than 770 million in four decades have been well documented and has many lessons not only in China but insights for developing countries globally.
Since China’s announcement of eliminating extreme poverty in 2020, the government’s rural revitalization strategy has marked a new stage of development.
It looks beyond income growth alone, and places equal emphasis on sustainable livelihoods, ecological protection, improved public services, and resilient rural communities.
This approach recognizes that rural development is not a short-term task.
It is a systemic and long-term process that requires policy coherence, strong institutional capacity, and whole-of-society participation.
Indeed, rural revitalization is not the responsibility of any single actor.
It requires coordinated action across governments at all levels, international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, NGOs, and—most importantly—local communities, including women.
Since the establishment of our UNDP office in China in 1979 and with more than 1,000 projects with CICETE over the last four decades, we have been a strong supporter of these efforts in collaboration with our sister UN agencies.
For UNDP, this has been a frontline and on the ground engagement across China.
We have seen the positive results of our joint project with CICETE in MOFCOM-designated counties on poverty alleviation and sustainable development over the last four decades.
Allow me to share some perspectives from our joint collaboration for today’s discussion.
lmplemented from 2017 to 2021, one of our joint projects focused on the three counties of Chengbu, Guang’an, and Yilong, in central and southwest China.
In particular, it supported the development of standardised farmer cooperatives, facilitated market linkages for agricultural products, and promoted credit cooperation among cooperative unions—advancing an integrated model that combines production, supply and marketing, and finance.
Overall, 208 compliant and operational farmer cooperatives were supported and seven cooperative unions were established, directly benefiting more than 3,000 rural households [1].
Building on these achievements, from 2022 to 2025, our collaboration continued with a renewed focus on commercial support for rural revitalization.
The achievements and progress of this stage will be shared and discussed during this afternoon’s summary meeting.
A key gold thread of lesson that comes across clearly is that successful collaborations to advance the rural revitalisation agenda is the critical importance of partnerships and integrated development approaches.
A key gold thread of lesson that comes across clearly is that successful collaborations to advance the rural revitalisation agenda is the critical importance of partnerships and integrated development approaches.
A second reflection I would like to share today revolves on the importance of women’s empowerment.
In addition to the promotion of commerce in these counties, our efforts have also prioritized women’s empowerment, which has further strengthened rural development.
Through UNDP projects across many regions throughout China, women are being engaged in agricultural innovation, cooperative management, e-commerce, and value chain development, making tangible contributions to productivity, sustainability, and community resilience.
UNDP and CICETEs initiatives across China ensure a clear focus as well on strengthening women’s participation in rural development systems—through skills development, access to technologies and finance, engagement in cooperatives and local institutions, and stronger linkages to markets and services.
This approach also reflects a shift from viewing women primarily as beneficiaries, to recognizing them as active contributors and leaders in rural industrial upgrading and local economic organization. It also has been one of the key foundations of our successful projects.
Our experience has demonstrated that when women have access to skills, technology, finance and institutional opportunities, rural revitalization outcomes become more inclusive and more durable.
Women’s engagement strengthens local industries, enhances the effectiveness of cooperatives, and contributes to more resilient community development.
Advancing women’s roles is therefore not a parallel agenda—it is an integral part of building sustainable rural economies and supporting long-term rural revitalization.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ultimately, in summary, rural revitalization is not a short-term effort.
It is a shared journey—one that depends on people, strong institutions, and partnerships built to last.
It calls for national strategies to be grounded in local realities, and for local practice and wisdom to inform broader learning and reflected in project designs and implementation.
In closing, let me state that our joint success in Chengbu would not have been possible in all of the 4 counties, without the tireless efforts, ambitions and commitments of the leaders from the participating counties’ local governments, local entrepreneurs and communities.
On behalf of UNDP, let me take this opportunity to thank and congralute you.
With the upcoming 15th Five Year Plan ahead, this conference offers us an important opportunity: to forge partnerships to share best practices , to connect ideas with pragmatic actions, and to turn dialogue into positive development impact for everyone.
I am also delighted to see so many young people in this conference room. Please do use this opportunity to listen, connect and share your views with the large number of experts present here today.
Sustaining the progress made thus far will be in your hands.
UNDP China will continue to work closely with CICETE and all partners to support and to contribute to a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, both here in China and globally.
Thank you very much.
[1] https://news.cau.edu.cn/art/2021/6/26/art_8779_764846.html
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