ExpertGroup Meeting of CCICED Taskforce on South-South Cooperation for EcologicalCivilization was launched at the UN Environment Compound in Nairobi Kenya onSeptember 27, 2016. This conference was jointly organized by the United NationsEnvironment, China Council for International Cooperation (CCICED), Chinese Academy of International Trade and EconomicCooperation, MofCom (CAITEC) and the Global Green Development Institute (GGDI).Prof. Li Fengting, Deputy Dean of UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment forSustainable Development (IESD) and Prof. Han Chuanfeng, Deputy Dean of Schoolof Economics and Management (SEM) of Tongji University attended this meeting.

The expert meeting was chaired by Dr,Kandeh K, Yumkella, former UN Under Secretary-General. Mr. Erik Solheim, Executivedirector of UN Environment, attended the opening session and delivered awelcome speech, focusing on China’s constructive role in promoting global greendevelopment through South-south cooperation. The group discussion was startedwith remarks by Dr. Gu Xueming, President of Chinese Academy of InternationalTrade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) and Mr. Liu Ning, Chinese DeputyPermanent Representative to UN Environment. Over 40 experts from Kenya, Uganda,Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Germany, Canada as well as China participated in thegroup discussion.

Theconference was aim to share Chinese achievements and experience in ecologicalcivilization and green development so that African countries can have a goodknowledge of the policies and technologies on ecosystem and environmentprotection and promote the cooperation between China and Africa. It was also agood opportunity to collect the suggestions made by African experts to China.This symposium responded to the new China-Africa policy pledged by President Xi Jinping at a China-Africa summit in Johannesburg and President Xi’s remarks atUnited Nations roundtable on South-South Cooperation. It also echoed 10 major China-Africa cooperation plans and promoted amutually beneficial partnership.

Prof. Lifengting of IESD provided a brief overview of the work done by TongjiUniversity in sustainable development and south-south cooperation in light ofcurrent China-Africa cooperation. With the support of MOST, MOFCOM and MEP, he gave numerous examples of projects launched by Tongji university, UNEnvironment and UN Habitat in African countries. They are climate change water movement project, workshopon planning for greener cities for south-south cooperation in Africa, Degreeeducation for African countries and The GlobalUniversities Partnership on Environment for Sustainability. Relying on the advantages of urbanconstruction disciplines; Tongji University had provided education to Africanstudents since 1960s which was a response to national appeal. Tongji Universityhad enrolled 2807 students from 48 African countries in the last five years. Togetherwith CRRC Corporation Limited, Tongji University was actively promoting the cultivationof African national railway talents, as well as target training of masters ofMedicine. It was through personnel training to further promote China-Africacooperation.

As Prof. Lipointed out, Africa was not only a part of the politics, culture and economicsbut also a part of natural and human resources. If African countries couldlearn from China’s experience and work with China to implement greendevelopment and promote global ecological civilization, it would be a greatcontribution to the world. Based on his fruitful experience in working withAfrican research institutions and enterprises, he suggested that the Chinese Governmenttake more differentiated and incentive measures to encourage more experts to dothe research on policy and technology in Africa so as to address local needsand promote China-Africa cooperation.

Prof. HanChuanfeng of SEM, clarified the concept of ecological civilization and itsevolution from the perspective of economics. He emphasized on the leading roleChina played in South-south cooperation and green finance assistance. TakingTongji University as an example, he explained our objective is to build a sustainability-orienteduniversity and all kinds of practice.

The symposiumprovided a platform for China and Africa. The participants exchanged in-depth views on promotingSouth-South cooperation in ecological civilization between China and Africa. Itends with a heated discussion.

Supportedby Ministry of science and technology, Shanghai Government and many otherministries, a team of Chinese experts specialized in China-Africa Water MovementProject have launched investigations and experiments. As the head of the team, ProfessorLi and his team has done much work in tackling climate changeand water resource protection. His team member includes ChaiXiaoli, Wang Hongtao, Wu Yinan, Meng Haixing, Wang Zidi, Jia Qian etc. In 2013,Prof. Li was honored the UN prize “An Recognition of Special Contribution toSouth-South and Triangle Cooperation” due to his significant contribution tothe China-Africa cooperation on the safe water supply technology transfer.

In theseries 60 Years of Sino-African Friendship, CCTV-Français andCCTV-news released a series of full-length record films - 60 portrait Sino-Africans Mon histoire. Prof. Li, asthe expert of environment and water treatment, and his team was presented.

French link：http://fr.cctv.com/2016/06/16/VIDEeSuSNG0hPUoXnGGzaeHB160616.shtml