2 May 2019, Geneva, Switzerland - UNITAR and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People's Republic of China held a meeting in Geneva on April 25, 2019 to discuss cooperation in establishing an International Training Programme for Chinese officials in the field of science and technology, innovation, trade, and finance. 

The meeting was hosted by UNITAR at Palais des Nations where Senior Officials from MOST were welcomed by Mr. Nikhil Seth, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNITAR.  The meeting was Chaired by Mr. Alex Mejia, Director of the Division for People and Social Inclusion and Director-ad-Interim of the Division for Prosperity of UNITAR.

Mr. Seth highlighted the potential of closer collaboration between UNITAR and MOST in sharing experiences on science and technology, its multiplier effect across China, and for developing countries. He also emphasized that China has made tremendous progress with its digital development and we are keen to learn from China’s experience to support the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr. Liu Ming, member of the Leadership Team of MOST, thanked UNITAR for hosting the meeting and emphasized the need to provide international training opportunities and exchanges for Chinese officials through partnership with UNITAR which will provide invaluable international exposure.

During the discussions, Mr. Alex Mejia underscored the need to increase the beneficiaries of UNITAR’s training activities from China and to ensure that joint training initiatives are designed to ensure that successful participants will also serve as new mentors or trainers in their respective fields and organizations.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Niu Weihong, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau for Talents Management, and stressed the need for closer cooperation with international organizations in the field of human resource development to ensure that the skill set of today’s work force is aligned with the current and future demands.

Similarly, Mr. Yonghui Deng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Overseas Intellectual Resources Cooperation, highlighted the need to design practical technical training by embedding the trainees in real-world environment from other countries to ensure maximum transfer of knowledge and experiences.

The Chinese Delegation was accompanied by Mr. David Ding, Vice Director of Central International Taxation of China, Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE), and Mr. Ruitao Du from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

As part of the meeting, a draft agreement which will shape future long-term collaboration between UNITAR and MOST was discussed. Within the year, the partnership plans to complete the first round of trainees to be hosted by UNITAR in Geneva.