As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) celebrates its 10th anniversary, its impact on global infrastructure and mutual cooperation is being highlighted through a newly released white paper by China’s State Council Information Office. This comprehensive document, titled \"The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future,\" presents evidence-based arguments showcasing the real benefits the BRI has brought to participating countries.
Global infrastructure gaps remain a significant barrier to sustainable development. According to the World Bank's latest report, 675 million people are without electricity, 2.3 billion lack access to potable water, and 3.6 billion do not have safe sanitation. Additionally, 1 billion people live more than two kilometers from a year-round road, and 450 million are beyond the reach of broadband signals. Addressing these challenges is estimated to require approximately $1.5 trillion annually by 2030, representing 4.5 percent of the GDP of low and middle-income countries.
These infrastructural deficits contribute to multidimensional poverty, exacerbating socio-economic problems and hindering progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are halfway to their 2030 targets. However, the BRI has played a pivotal role in mitigating these issues. Through massive investments in infrastructure and the provision of basic social services, the initiative has helped reduce poverty levels in various regions.
China’s success in eradicating poverty domestically serves as a model for its global efforts. The BRI, underpinned by the principle of building a global community of shared future, has facilitated numerous projects across different countries, bridging the infrastructural gaps that impede sustainable development. The white paper highlights specific projects and their outcomes, reinforcing the BRI’s contribution to global progress.
As businesses and nations continue to collaborate under the BRI framework, the initiative stands as a testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
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White paper on BRI provides new horizon of mutual cooperation
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