Webinar: SSC & International Development Cooperation in the Post COVID-19 World, 20 October 2020

By October 15, 2020 January 18th, 2021 Events, GSSDC, Webinars

Webinar: SSC & International Development Cooperation in the Post COVID-19 World: Environmental Protection & Energy Efficiency

  • When: 20 October 2020 2:30 – 4:00PM (Beijing Time)
  • Language: Chinese

Background

COVID-19 is a reminder that human health is linked to the planet’s health. The pandemic is part of what UNEP call the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Even before COVID-19, the science on this crisis was crystal clear: Through its inexhaustible hunger for resources, humanity is undermining the natural systems that allow our economies to thrive.

“Whether we are tackling a pandemic or the climate crisis, it is clear that we need science, solidarity and decisive solutions,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the launch of the report “United in Science 2020”.

Climate change has not stopped for COVID-19. Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are at record levels, and emissions, that saw a temporary decline due to the pandemic, are heading towards pre-COVID levels, while global temperatures continue to hit new highs. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that if the world is to slow the trend of the devastating impacts of climate change, and limit temperate rise to 1.5 degree-Celsius, there is “no time to delay”.

Major changes unseen in a century are taking place in our world. The COVID-19 is a grave test for the entire world. Mankind has entered a new era of interconnectedness, where countries have intertwined interests and their future is closely linked together. Global threats and global challenges require strong, global responses.

What are the new characteristics of South-South cooperation in environmental protection and energy efficiency in the post COVID-19 era? What will be the new focuses after the COVID-19?

At this critical moment, we need to realize that in a world where economies are fully integrated, only by fighting the pandemic together can we overcome this crisis and achieve common prosperity. In this context, Global South-South Development Center Project aims to evolve in pace with the current situation and explore innovative approaches to enhance knowledge exchange and cooperation among its partner institutions via on-line brainstorming. The webinars will focus on the common concerns to expand ways of thinking and promote awareness-building and experience-sharing in terms of South-South cooperation and international development cooperation.

Agenda

Moderator: Ms. Zhu Li, Deputy Division Chief, Division II of UN Programmes, China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges

Presentations:

  • Mr. LIU Jian, UN Environment Chief Scientist and Director of the Science Division, UN Environment Programme
  • Mr. LIU Zhijie, Deputy Director of the Training Division, Center for Environmental Education & Communications of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment

Q&A