Distinguished Heads of Delegations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Welcome to Shanghai, the birthplace of UNESCAP. The return of UNESCAP to Shanghai after a lapse of over 50 years since its inception makes this session so special.

For many years, the UNESCAP has made tremendous contribution to the Asia-Pacific economic development and social progress. It facilitated the birth of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the largest financial institution for development of the region and initiated the establishment of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), which stimulated regional and sub-regional cooperation. It has also made tremendous achievements in helping member states to strengthen infrastructure development and meet development goals. The Asia-Pacific intra-regional cooperation of diverse forms is gaining a stronger momentum. Such encouraging development is fully consistent with the spirit of exchanges and cooperation as advocated by the UNESCAP. This Organization has become an important force for greater regional cooperation and closer regional economic integration.

The Asia-Pacific is now at a historical period of unprecedented development and is faced with both unparalleled opportunities and severe challenges. On the one hand, the economy of developing countries in the region is growing rapidly with huge changes taking place in all aspects of people's life. On the other, this region remains home to the largest population of the world's poor, and problems like environmental degradation, epidemic or infectious diseases and the wealth divide are more pronounced than ever.

The growing economic globalization makes Asia-Pacific countries more interdependent. To meet challenges through intensified cooperation is now the common will and strong aspiration of all governments and people in the region. In this connection, it is important that UNESCAP builds on its advantages and promotes interaction and exchanges between regional mechanisms so as to inject new vigor and vitality into the Asia-Pacific regional cooperation in the new era. I do believe that if all of us work together and focus on the session's theme of "strengthening regional development and cooperation and meeting challenges in the era of globalization", this session will be as fruitful as we have hoped for.

Dear Friends,

The Chinese Government will continue to attach importance to the role of UNESCAP. We will take an active part in the intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation and increase our political and security dialogue and exchanges with other countries. We will develop partnerships of equality and mutual benefit with other countries and promote common development and prosperity. Under our policy of making friends and partners with neighbors, we will do everything in the interest of security and prosperity of our neighbors and never do anything to their detriment.

With that, I wish the meeting a complete success and all delegates and friends a pleasant stay in Shanghai.

To conclude, I would like to propose a toast,

to the prosperity and progress of the Asia-Pacific,

to the well-being of people of all countries in the region, and

to the health of all those present,

Cheers!