The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of the People's Republic of China Wednesday signed a new agreement to strengthen their long-standing cooperation.

The agreement centres on strengthening South-South cooperation, building on China's success in lifting 500 million people out of poverty and advancing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

UNDP and China will work together to share experience and knowledge, in supporting other developing country efforts on poverty reduction, agriculture, health care and capacity building. This approach would begin on a pilot basis with potential developing countries.

"This agreement heralds China's expanding role as a global development partner in helping MDG achievement, a key focus of our programmes around the world," said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. "UNDP is pleased that it has been able to partner with China and contribute to its development over the past 30 years. As we look ahead to this new chapter in our relationship, we will be working together to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development across the developing world."

The agreement was signed by Wang Chao, Chinese Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, and Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director for Asia and the Pacific, in a ceremony at UN headquarters in New York overseen by Helen Clark and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

This new partnership is anchored in the UNDP country programme in China for 2011-2015, recently approved by UNDP/UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Board. In addition to South South Cooperation, UNDP continues to work with China addressing issues of MDG achievement, and building a balanced, harmonious and equitable society by reducing poverty, strengthening the rule of law, promoting environmental sustainability, and fighting HIV/AIDS.

(China Development Gateway September 26, 2010)