AU Official Praises Global Development Initiative for Strengthening China-Africa Relations

General
October 13, 2024

Addis Ababa: The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohamed Belhocine, recently underscored the significant role of the China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) in enhancing the China-Africa partnership and expanding South-South cooperation.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Belhocine spoke at a dialogue in Addis Ababa focusing on the GDI, where he described the China-Africa relationship as “an outstanding and mutually beneficial partnership.” The event saw the participation of experts and policymakers from various United Nations agencies, the African Union, and several African countries, all of whom echoed the need to deepen China-Africa cooperation across multiple sustainable development sectors.

Belhocine highlighted the GDI’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which together outline strategic frameworks for addressing global and regional challenges. “The Global Development Initiative bui
lds on the foundations of the SDGs to chart a path towards the realization of a global community,” Belhocine stated.

Over the years, China-Africa cooperation has yielded mutual benefits across various fields including science and technology, peace and security, climate change, education, agriculture, and information and communications technology. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation stands as a testament to the partnership’s success.

The dialogue also emphasized the importance of aligning development plans and strategies between China and Africa to further the objectives of the GDI and achieve broader cooperation goals.

The GDI was initially proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping three years ago during the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to build consensus on development, promote shared growth, and accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.