Dr. Yutong Li, Head of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) joined a Panel Discussion on ‘Climate and Multilateralism’ at the 11th World Peace Forum in Beijing today. The Discussion was jointly organized by the United Nations in China and the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University. 

In her remarks, Dr. Li emphasized the importance of multilateralism in addressing the challenge of climate change in the agricultural sector, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where vulnerability to climate-related disasters is high. She also highlighted the role of innovative practices and mechanization in promoting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural development.

Among other aspects of CSAM’s work, Dr. Li cited the example of the Centre’s ‘Regional Initiative on Mechanization Solutions for Integrated Management of Straw Residue in Asia and the Pacific’. Burning of straw residue is an important contributor to pollution and Greenhouse Gas emissions from the agricultural sector in the region and the Regional Initiative seeks to identify, test and promote an integrated model of straw management using agricultural machinery in order to discourage farmers from burning the residue. This Initiative has achieved positive results since it was first implemented in China and Viet Nam and later expanded to include Cambodia, Indonesia and Nepal. It has been cited as a Good Practice in South-South and Triangular Cooperation by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in 2022, in addition to winning other recognitions.

Dr. Li expressed her appreciation for the fruitfulness of the discussion and thanked partners, representatives, and participants. She called for all stakeholders to seize the opportunity to “reinforce collective resolve and pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future for all”.

Before the panel, Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China delivered his Keynote Speech. The panel was moderated by Professor Zheng Li, President of the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development (ICCSD) of Tsinghua University. Other distinguished speakers in the Panel included Ms. Qingchen Chao, Director General of the National Climate Centre of China; Mr. Huaqing Xu, Director General of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation of China; and Mr. Palita Kohona, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, who also shared their thoughts on the pressing challenge of climate change and the need for collaborative solutions.