Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks at a meeting on Member States' Counter-Terrorism Priorities in the Post COVID-19 Environment in New York city, US on July 10, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations has said that unilateralism, bullying, protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments amid the current global upheaval are eroding the very foundation of multilateralism and worsening the environment for international development cooperation.

This year, China will lift all its rural poor above the poverty line, achieve moderate prosperity and meet the 2030 Agenda's goals and targets of poverty reduction 10 years ahead of schedule

"Sharing one global village, humankind rises and falls together. The only choice in front of us is to work together to combat this global crisis," said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, in remarks on Tuesday at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.

COVID-19, the most serious outbreak of infectious disease in a century, is having a devastating impact on economic and social development, he said. 

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"Facing the grave and complex situation, it is more important than ever to achieve common development and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he said.

The forum, with the theme "Accelerated Action and Transformative Pathways: Realizing the Decade of Action and Delivery for Sustainable Development", reflected the urgency to implement the 2030 Agenda, Zhang said.

He called on all parties to take advantage of the inaugural year of the Decade of Action to "strengthen confidence and resolve, intensify actions, effectively combat COVID-19, promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and growth and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda".

As the UN is marking 75 years since its founding, Zhang said that the international community should firmly uphold multilateralism, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs and oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism.

Zhang also called for the international community to prioritize development in global macroeconomic-policy coordination, and increase investment in order to offer sustained impetus to the cause of international development.

Special attention should be paid, he added, to the difficulties and challenges of developing countries in the midst of COVID-19 to help them recover better and faster.

'Win-win cooperation'

Zhang also appealed to the gathering to remain committed to openness and inclusiveness to achieve "win-win cooperation".

"The international community should actively pursue an open world economy, uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system, and ensure the stability of the global industrial and supply chains," he said.

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In facing the novel coronavirus pandemic, Zhang said countries should take joint actions "to reduce tariffs, remove barriers and ensure unimpeded trade to strongly boost the confidence in economic recovery".

Zhang also credited China's "people-centered approach "toward making "enormous efforts and progress" in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

This year, China will lift all its rural poor above the poverty line, achieve moderate prosperity and meet the 2030 Agenda's goals and targets of poverty reduction 10 years ahead of schedule.