UN Environment has been engaging various stakeholders from the Peoples Republic of China to explore ways on how China can support UN Environment’s work in addressing some of the pressing environmental challenges facing Africa.
In a move intended to garner partner support in implementation of the historic Kigali Agreement signed last year, the UN Environment Ozone Secretariat through the Africa Office and China, have reached a mutual agreement to roll out various initiatives that will enable Africa meet its commitments under the Kigali Agreement.
The Chinese partners who include the government and private sector actors are keen to provide both financial and technical support through training, expert resources, sharing knowledge, technical skills and best practices. The Foreign and Economic Cooperation Office of China would be the lead agency coordinating these efforts on behalf of the country. In Beijing, initial consultations between UN Environment and the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of China, Mr. Guo Jing, recently explored ways of enhancing a long-term cooperation mechanism, through establishing a Sino-Africa Environmental Center. The goal of the center will be to build local capacity in research and training in the areas of pollution and ecosystems management through environmental assessments, monitoring, governance, and regulations.
Collaboration will also focus on various priorities such as ozone, pollution, and capacity building.
China can share its experience and good practices with many African countries. For instance, pollution is a major concern in cities in China such as Beijing, and it continues to pose health and environmental risks to residents. However, stringent governance measures undertaken by the Chinese Government have been instituted and enforced to address pollution, and the results are gradually bearing fruit.
Another example is with growing populations. China is a rapidly developing with a huge population and an economy that is growing at a fast pace. Similarly, many African countries are struggling to deal with growing populations and growing economies which is adding pressure to ecosystems and posing environmental threats.
