Opening Remarks of Mr. Klaus Gerhaeusser from ADB in Knowledge-Sharing Platform in Shanghai on 2-6 November 2009
Distinguished Mr. Wu Jinkang, Mr. Tian Chunhua, Mr. Li Kouqing
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning.
On behalf of the Asian Development Bank, I would like to extend my warm welcome to the distinguished participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China (China) for initiating the PRC-ADB Knowledge- Sharing Platform, and in particular Mr. Wu, Mr. Tian and Mr. Li and their colleagues, from the Ministry of Finance, the Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau, and AFDC, for making this event possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the PRC Government for the 60-year anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China's successful opening and reform of its economy over the past 3 decades is one of the most impressive development experiences in recent history. Sustained rapid development has lifted 500 million people out of poverty. The expanding middle class particularly in the urban sector has become a key driver for further reforms and economic opening-up.
Learning and knowledge are a key source of economic growth. China's rapid development reflects the successful use of knowledge as a driver of change. As the economy continues to progress and moves up the technology ladder, knowledge and innovation can be expected to play an increasingly important role. China's co-sponsorship of the PRC-ADB knowledge-sharing platform reflects its economic maturation, and its aspiration to make a greater contribution to public goods for regionally inclusive and knowledge-driven development. The platform's two-way learning approach underscores the continued importance that China accords to learning from other countries, while at the same time sharing its own development experience.
ADB is pleased to be associated with China's successful economic reforms and modernization. Our strong partnership focused initially on lending and technical assistance. However, as China's economy has matured, regional cooperation and knowledge cooperation have gained importance and have become key elements of our partnership. ADB's proactive response to China's increased emphasis on knowledge cooperation, and the establishment of this knowledge-sharing platform in particular, reflect both ADB's endeavor to be responsive to China's changing needs, as well as growing recognition of its role in facilitating knowledge exchange between countries in the Region.
No place is more appropriate than Shanghai for hosting this inaugural event on sustainable urbanization. Shanghai is famous for its rich history, its upcoming role as host of the 2010 World Expo, and its dynamism and vitality as a green city and regional financial hub. ADB's financing of the two bridges, Nanpu in 1995 and Yangpu in 1998, and the Suzhou Creek Environmental Rehabilitation Project are testament of ADB's strong partnership with this metropolis. The Suzhou Creek Environmental Rehabilitation Project, which we will visit during the Workshop, has become a showcase of this close cooperation. The consultative approach adopted by the Shanghai Government in implementing the Project, and the efforts to transform a solid waste collection center into a green park, are hallmarks of the Project.
How to make urbanization sustainable is a concern of many countries in Asia. More than one billion people in the Region are expected to join the urban population in the next 20 years. In China alone, about 20 million people join the urban population each year, a number equivalent to the population of Beijing or Shanghai. The scale and continuing nature of urbanization have posed great challenges to ADB's developing member countries. These include meeting the enormous need for urban infrastructure; providing effective municipal and social services to the rapidly growing urban population; and protecting the urban environment.
Cities have also become the center in the efforts to address climate change, as they account for more than three quarters of total greenhouse gas emissions across the globe. Clearly, sustainable economic development is not possible without sustainable urbanization. And sustainable urbanization will depend on several prerequisites.
First, urbanization must be inclusive in its integration with rural development and in the broader local and country context. The promotion of integrated urban-rural development and city clusters has become central features of China's urban development strategy.
Second, urbanization should take place in partnership between the public and private sectors. This is particularly important to ensure sustained infrastructure financing, and adequate provision of social services.
Third, urbanization should be green, with strong emphasis on energy efficiency, public transport, and sound urban planning and construction. Only through a green approach to urbanization is it possible to ensure the quality of air and water, and effective waste treatment, which are essential to a healthy living environment, and to mitigate climate change.
Finally, urbanization must be open. It is important for urbanization to be closely linked to regional development initiatives, to reflect regional and global environmental concerns, and for successful experiences and lessons to be shared openly among cities and countries.
I am pleased to note that the workshop program covers many of the pressing issues confronting sustainable urbanization. The field visits will reinforce the learning experiences, and will provide insights and experience from the local context in Shanghai. This regional workshop is intended to be a mutual-learning event and a forum for dialogue and exchanges among participants from China and ten other developing member countries. We have provided you with a strong ADB team to facilitate knowledge-sharing and to distill good practices and experiences. I encourage you all to participate and share your experiences openly and actively.
I wish you a pleasant stay in Shanghai, and a productive workshop.
