how women’s style and seek cooperation and development
— Welcome remarks at the Second Asian-African Women’s Development and Cooperation Forum
Zhao Meiling
On the afternoon of September 22, 2022, the second Asian-African Forum on Women’s Development and Cooperation was held by the Women Empowerment and Development Society in Asia-Africa in Beijing. Ms. Zhao Mei-ling, President of theWomen Empowerment and Development Society in Asia-Africa, delivered a speech at the beginning of the forum. She extended a warm welcome to all the diplomatic envoys and distinguished guests. She delivered a warm and enthusiastic speech.
She pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been repeatedly delayed in recent years, and the increasingly grim international situation have aroused widespread concern. All these reflect the deep confusion about the current situation and the general concern about the future of the world. The theme of this year’s forum is “Working Together to Overcome Difficulties and Seek Common Development”. You will focus on this theme and contribute your insights on the pressing issues facing the international community.
At present, changes in the past century and epidemics in the past century are intertwined, overlapping and resonating. World economic recovery has suffered a serious setback, the development gap between the North and the South has widened, and the momentum of development cooperation has given rise to worrying results. Mankind is facing unprecedented challenges. No country and no person can stay immune from these challenges. The destinies of mankind are closely linked. We are all in the same boat. Only by working together can we overcome difficulties. Chinese leaders have put forward China’s proposals on global governance, global development, global security and global epidemic response at the United Nations and other international forums, which have been widely welcomed. In the face of COVID-19, the Chinese government has actively promoted cooperation in fighting the epidemic. The Women Empowerment and Development Society in Asia-Africa has also been actively promoting cooperation with Asian and African countries, especially women’s organizations.
During the Forum, a roundtable discussion will be held under the theme of “How to Help Women Economic Development”. Diplomatic envoys from many countries in China will share their experience in women’s economic development, explore the feasibility of cooperation on women’s economic development and put forward practical suggestions. The “Global Women’s and Children’s Development Project” jointly initiated by the China Foundation for Peace and Development and the Asian-African Women’s Promotion Association will be officially launched. The “Love in Malawi Education Program” is our first public welfare program in Africa. It will also be a concrete outcome of this year’s Asian-African Women’s Development and Cooperation Forum. It is like a small tree that has just broken the ground. Under the care of loving people from all walks of life, it will grow vigorously, grow luxuriant and bear fruitful fruits. Here, I would like to express my sincere thanks and high respect to the enterprises and loving people from all walks of life who actively participate in public welfare undertakings. The Global Women’s and Children’s Development Program will contribute to more Asian and African countries.
She called on all countries to treat each other as equals, respect and trust each other, live in harmony, carry out extensive exchanges across borders, time and civilization, jointly enhance understanding and mutual trust among people of all countries, jointly safeguard the time of peace that is more precious than gold, jointly promote mutually beneficial and win-win international cooperation, and strive to realize “hello, I am good, everyone is good”.
She stressed that in the process of promoting human progress and development, women will continue to show the spirit of standing ahead of the tide, forging ahead and working together, and make their own contributions to a better future for the world.