China, Africa co-host meeting on sustainable development in Geneva

China and African countries on Friday co-hosted a meeting on "The realization of economic, social and cultural rights through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" in Geneva during the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council.

Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stressed on the meeting that the international community should take the implementation of the 2030 Agenda as an opportunity to eliminate obstacles to development and provide the necessary condition and solid foundation for the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights for all.

Saying that eradication of poverty and hunger should be at the core of the agenda, Ma noted that China expect to lift all the remaining rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty by 2020.

"We will realize ahead of schedule sustainable development targets related to hunger and poverty eradication, women and children's health care, and housing security," he said.

Stressing that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlined a great vision for national development and international development cooperation, Ma added that efforts should be made to improve global economic governance and strengthen the representation and voice of developing countries in international economic governance.

"Development is vital to the promotion and protection of human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights," he said.

Ambassador Jean-Marie Ehouzou, African Union permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko, permanent representative of South Africa to the UN in Geneva, as well as representatives from other countries and UN bodies were present as panelists at Friday's meeting, which was also attended by other diplomats, NGOs, experts and scholars. Endit