The call came at a luncheon hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a discussion on the "Tropical Forests Forever Facility" fund, a new multilateral effort to safeguard the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, serving as President Xi Jinping’s special representative and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that tropical rainforests are a global heritage under threat. “The protection of tropical rainforests concerns the survival and well-being of humanity and represents a common cause of all humanity,” he said.
Ding highlighted China’s recent strides on the Chinese mainland, such as stronger policies, increased funding, and a tech-driven approach that led to the creation of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park. These steps have balanced environmental protection with local development, demonstrating a model for green growth.
Looking ahead, Ding called for building robust cooperation platforms—both multilateral and bilateral—to enhance communication and coordination among nations. He urged developed economies to meet their commitments under the UN climate convention by providing adequate funding to support developing countries in reducing deforestation and rainforest degradation.
The luncheon drew a high-level crowd, including the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, Surinamese President Jennifer Simons, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, who all reaffirmed their commitment to forest conservation.
As young global citizens, business innovators, and travelers alike look for sustainable solutions, this renewed momentum underscores the need for shared responsibility and action. From policy labs to tech startups, the path forward involves turning data insights into real-world impact—one tree at a time.
Reference(s):
China calls for joint global action to protect tropical rainforests
cgtn.com
