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UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 2021-2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................................................... 5
3
CHAPTER 1: Country Progress Towards
The 2030 Agenda................................................................................................... 7
Country Context..................................................................................................................... 7
China’s Vision for Sustainable Development....................... 8
Progress Towards the SDGs.............................................................................. 9
Gaps and Challenges.................................................................................................11
CONTENTS CONT.D
10
ANNEX 1. Results Matrix
CHAPTER 2: The UN Development System
for UNSDCF for
Support To The 2030 Agenda............................................. 12
2021-2025....................................................... 27
Cooperation Framework Strategic Priorities...................12
Cooperation Framework Outcomes...............................................15
Synergies and Sustainability Between ANNEX 2. UNCT Configuration –
Cooperation Framework Outcomes...............................................22 15
UN Comparative Advantages and UNCT Assessment of
Configuration..........................................................................................................................23 Capacities...................................................... 31
CHAPTER 3: Cooperation Framework ANNEX 3. Legal Annex.............................................. 32
Implementation Plan........................................................................... 24
Implementation Strategy..................................................................................24 ANNEX 4. Resource Mobilisation,
24
Governance Architecture...................................................................................25 Implementation
Risk Management and Assumptions............................................25
and Harmonised
Approach to Cash
CHAPTER 4. Monitoring And Evaluation Plan............................. 26 Transfers (HACT).............................. 34
Monitoring Plan..................................................................................................................26
Cooperation Framework Review and Reporting.............26
Evaluation Plan....................................................................................................................26 26 List of Abbreviations............... 36
ii United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 iii
FOREWORD
The Government of China and the United Nations (UN) System in China are pleased to present the
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the People's Republic
of China 2021-2025. The period covered by the UNSDCF is contemporaneous with China's 14th Five-
Year Plan, and over the next five years, the UN System will continue to support China to realise the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to realise Innovation-driven, Coordinated, Green,
Open, and Shared Development.
China's development has now entered a new era, and China and the UN System are embarking on a
new cycle of cooperation. 2020 marks the year in which the long-standing goals of comprehensively
Chinese President XI Jinping with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
achieving a Xiaokang society—a moderately prosperous society in all aspects—and eradicating
absolute rural poverty will be achieved. In the coming five years we will continue our sustained
efforts to preserve this hard-won progress. The UNSDCF will help China meet and respond to the new
opportunities and challenges presented by the country's post-2020 development landscape, including Participating United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes
building back better in the post-COVID-l9 era and supporting China's high-quality development.
Informed by China's development needs and capacities, and the UN System's own comparative
advantage and expertise, programming under the new UNSDCF will be strategically centred around
three key priority areas: 1) People and Prosperity: Achieving Innovation-driven, Coordinated and
Shared Development, 2) Planet: Achieving Green Development towards a more sustainable and
resilient environment, and 3) Partnerships: Realising the full potential of China's international
engagement to promote its open development and partnerships to accelerate achievement of the Participating United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes
SDGs across the world. Recognising the synergy between China's vision of high-quality development
and the 2030 Agenda, these three Priority Areas will serve as the foundation for all of the UN System's
work in and with China over the coming five years, and will support China's high-quality development
as well as providing the basis for cooperation with China in assisting other developing countries
around the world in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Matteo Marchisio, Ms. Smriti Aryal, Ms. Loretta Hieber Girardet, Ms. Shalina Miah, Ms. Qiao Jianrong,
IFAD UN Women UNDRR Chief of the Office UNV Regional Manager WHO
On behalf of the Government of China and the UN System in China, we would like to extend our Country Director Head of Office for Northeast Asia for Asia-Pacific Officer in Charge
gratitude to all of those who contributed valuable time and efforts in the drafting and finalisation of
the UNSDCF, and voice our commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the UNSDCF 2021-
2025, supporting its contributions to the 2030 Agenda and increasing the welfare of the Chinese people.
Mr. Sivanka Dhanapala, Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, Ms. Beate Trankmann, Mr. Giuseppe Crocetti, Ms. Navchaa Suren, Ms. Simonetta Siligato,
UNHCR UNICEF UNDP Resident IOM UNFPA UNOPS
Representative Representative Representative Chief of Mission Officer-in-Charge Officer-in-Charge
Government of China United Nations
Mr. Wang Shouwen Mr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi
Mr. Raphael Guillet, Ms. Dechen Tsering, Mr. Ralf Bredel, Mr. Atsushi Koresawa, Ms. Claire Courteille-Mulder, Dr. Marielza Oliveira,
Vice Minister UN Resident Coordinator, a.i. ICAO Chief of the UNEP Regional Director UNIDO Chief Regional UN-HABITAT Regional ILO Country Office UNESCO Director and
Deputy China International Trade Regional Sub-Office and Representative for Coordination Division Representative for Asia for China and Representative
Representative Ministry of Commerce Asia and the Pacific for Asia and the Pacific and the Pacific Mongolia Director
Ms. Amakobe Sande, Dr. Marielza, Dr. Li Yutong, Dr. Qu Sixi, WFP
UNAIDS Country Director FAO Representative a.i. ESCAP-CSAM Head Director
* The UNSDCF was signed on August 18, 2020.
2 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 3
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
China has made remarkable economic and social progress over the past 40
years, with impressive poverty reduction achievements and improvements in
many social indicators including health and education. Having reached upper-
middle-income status, China is now entering a new era in its development, as
declared by President Xi Jinping in his address to the 19th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China in October 2017, an era in which the principal
challenge that drives policy-making is no longer a lack of productive capacity,
but is the “contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development
and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life”.
In this context, China is pursuing a transition from a development
model that prioritised rapid economic growth to a more balanced
pursuit of “high-quality development”, development that is innova-
tion-driven, coordinated, green, open and shared by all. This is sub-
stantially aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop-
ment. China is finalising its 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for Economic
and Social Development (2021-2025). In the next five years, devel-
opment will remain the country’s top priority and emphasis will be
placed on keeping main economic indicators within an appropriate
range, increasing people’s well-being and bridging internal devel-
opment gaps, including through ecological improvements and
higher living standards. China will build on the poverty alleviation
Copyright © January 2021 achievements of the 13th FYP period and develop new goals for the
United Nations Country Team in reduction of relative and multidimensional poverty.
The People's Republic of China China is the world’s largest developing country which still needs
development support from the international community. At the
Sustainable Development Cooperation same time, being a major economy, China’s growth is benefitting
Framework 2021-2025 much of the world through trade, investments and engagement in
Innovative Technologies for Poverty Alleviation – a farmer proudly displays the
global development efforts. Through South-South cooperation (SSC), increased output from his mushroom field
All photo credits belong to UN in China
China continues to provide help to the best of its capabilities to other
2021 – 2025 5
Under the three Strategic Priorities, there are six high-level Outcome
results. The UN System will contribute towards their achievement.
Outcome 1: Relative poverty and multi-dimensional poverty are
reduced, and more coordinated development leads to reduction in gaps
CHAPTER 1:
between rural and urban areas and among regions, as more people
Country Progress
in China, including left-behind groups, benefit from sustainable, inno‑
vation-driven and shared high-quality economic development, with
Towards The 2030 Agenda
enhanced access to economic opportunities arising through innova‑
tion, entrepreneurship and rural revitalisation, enjoying decent work,
sustainable livelihoods, and the right to development equally for both
women and men.
Outcome 2: People’s lives in China are improved further as headway
is made in ensuring access to childcare, education, healthcare services, Permanent urban residents 1.1 Country Context traditional industries accelerated; the rural poor
elderly care, housing and social assistance, and more people in China, exceeded In the 40 years since the launch of reform and open- population was reduced by 11.09 million and the
including left-behind groups, benefit from equitable and high-quality 60% of the ing up, China’s economic and social achievements poverty headcount ratio fell to 0.6 percent; pollu-
public services and social protection systems as well as accelerated
population have been remarkable. China is the only country tion prevention and control efforts continued with
efforts to reduce gender inequality and other forms of social inequality to have moved from the low human development overall improvements in the environment; and
throughout the life-course. group in 1990 to the high development group, with basic old-age insurance, health insurance, and sub-
Growth of a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.758 in 2018, 1
sistence allowance standards were raised. Having
Outcome 3: People in China and the region benefit from a healthier GDP to reflecting broad-based improvements in income, attained upper-middle income country status, China
and more resilient environment. 99.1 health and education. has now announced a new “high-quality develop-
trillion During the current United Nations Development ment” vision, featuring comprehensive and sustain-
China fulfilling obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements,
including the phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances and Persistent Outcome 4: China accelerates its transition to a people-centred, inclu‑ Yuan Assistance Framework (UNDAF) period (2016-2020) able improvements in people’s lives, a model that is
Organic Pollutants sive, low-carbon, and circular economy. China achieved further notable progress in advanc- substantially aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sus-
Growth of ing social, economic and environmental sustainabil- tainable Development.
Outcome 5: China’s international financing, investments and business emerging ity. In 2019, GDP reached 99.1 trillion Yuan, repre- However, China is also facing a complex and dif-
developing countries to support the achievement of the Sustainable engagements, including through connectivity initiatives, programmes industries senting a 6.1 percent increase over the previous ficult macroeconomic environment. The demo-
Development Goals (SDGs). As a supporter of multilateralism, China and projects, contribute to SDG attainment in partner countries. year in constant prices; permanent urban residents graphic dividend has gradually vanished and the
supports international cooperation in addressing global develop- exceeded 60 percent of the population; emerging ageing of the population accelerates. The effective-
ment challenges, under its vision of “active promotion of building a Outcome 6: Through South-South cooperation and humanitarian cooper‑ industries continued to grow and upgrading in ness of the investment- and credit-based model that
human community with a shared future”. ation, China makes greater contributions to SDG attainment and the princi‑
In response to China’s new development paradigm, and based on ples of the 2030 Agenda, including leaving no one behind.
Standards of
widespread consultations with the Chinese Government, three Stra- basic insurance
tegic Priorities have been identified for the 2021-2025 United Nations The implementation of the Cooperation Framework will be coor- and allowances
Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for China dinated through a Joint Steering Committee, co-chaired by the leader raised
to support China’s development priorities in the next five years. The of the Ministry of Commerce and the UN Resident Coordinator, with
three Strategic Priorities are: membership from the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in China
and the relevant agencies within the Government. During implemen- Successful
tation of the Cooperation Framework, the Steering Committee will pollution
Priority 1 - People and Prosperity: Achieving Innovation‑driven, meet once a year to review progress towards the targeted results and control
Coordinated and Shared Development. Equitable and high- recommend strategic adjustments or new opportunities to accelerate efforts
quality economic, social and human development for all throughout the action during the subsequent period.
life-course. The UNCT will be configured in accordance with the principle of a
“needs-based, tailored country presence”, called for in the UN Devel-
Rural poor
Priority 2 - Planet: Achieving Green Development towards a more sus‑ opment System repositioning resolution. The UNCT will include both population
tainable and resilient environment. resident and non-resident entities who have committed through sig- reduced by
nature to contributing towards at least one of the Cooperation Frame- 11.09 million
Priority 3 - Partnerships: Realising the full potential of China’s inter‑ work Outcomes. The UNCT will also draw on expertise from across
national engagement to promote its open development and partner‑ the broader UN System, including its regional and global levels as
ships to accelerate achievement of the SDGs across the world. necessary to support the successful implementation of the UNSDCF.
6 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 7
Beyond China’s own development progress, the lush mountains are invaluable assets”, aiming The Government’s concerted effort to lift all rural
country has a large and steadily growing role in pro- to develop eco-friendly growth models and sus- residents living below the current poverty line out of
moting global development. As the biggest develop- tainable ways of life in China. “Open develop- poverty by 2020, has been designated as one of its
ing country, China engages actively in SSC2, helping ment” places high priority on sharing develop- three “great battles” in the effort to comprehensively
narrow the disparities between Global South and ment benefits with the rest of the world based on achieve the Xiaokang society, with the number of
Global North. Other developing countries are often mutual benefit and “win-win cooperation”, reflect- rural poor reduced to 5.51 million as of 2019.3
eager to learn from China’s experience and benefit ing China’s strong engagement in global develop- In core social sector goals of nutrition, health care,
from its expertise. ment. “Shared development” puts people at the education and sanitation (SDGs 2, 3, 4 and 6) a series
centre, pursuing development for the people and of sustained and steadily expanding government ini-
1. http://www.hdr.undp.org/en/data
by the people and enabling all people to benefit tiatives have produced strong progress in service pro-
2. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/673444
from development achievements. These five new vision, in education enrolment and coverage rates,
development concepts are closely aligned with the and in key indicators including under-five stunting,
1.2 China’s Vision for Sustainable 17 SDGs in the 2030 Agenda. maternal and child mortality rates and expected
China sees the year 2020 as a milestone, when the years of education. China’s ability to produce suffi-
Development
goal of eliminating absolute poverty and comprehen- cient grain to feed its 1.4 billion people is a major
Since 2012, China has accelerated its move to a new sively achieving a “Xiaokang Society” - a moderately contribution to global food security. China is now
underpinned earlier rapid growth is declining, and mode of economic development and put forward prosperous society in all respects, will be realised. As developing its next wave of health sector reforms.
GDP growth, while still strong by international stan- a vision of “innovation-driven, coordinated, green, China enters this new post-Xiaokang era, the Gov- These are focused on the rationalisation of service
dards, has been slowing in recent years. Trade fric- open and shared” development. These are widely ernment has laid out ambitious new long-term goals delivery at different health system levels and on new
tions continue. Demand for low-skilled labour that referred to as the “five new development concepts”, of “basically achieving socialist modernisation” by challenges created by the ageing population and
played a large part in making China “the factory which are substantially aligned with the 2030 Agenda 2035 and become a “great modern socialist nation” the need for behavioural changes to prevent com-
of the world” is shifting to lower income countries. for Sustainable Development, and were highlighted by 2050. municable and non-communicable diseases such
Challenges are emerging in promoting new urban- as key guiding principles in China’s National Plan for as cancer, diabetes, stroke and heart disease, along
isation and rural revitalisation. The still unquanti- Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 1.3 Progress Towards the SDGs with road and traffic accidents, the leading causes of
fiable economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic Development issued in 2016. premature death.4
both in China and abroad creates further uncertain- China’s current development vision calls for a China has demonstrated its commitment to the In SDG 4, having achieved universalisation of nine
ties in the coming period. shift from pursuit of rapid growth to high-quality 2030 Agenda and SDG realisation, both at home and years of free and mandatory education, the Govern-
In response, in the next five years under the 14th development, as defined by these five concepts. abroad, including through the issuance in 2016 of its ment is emphasising increasing enrolment in pre-pri-
FYP, development will remain the country’s top priority. The country has made “innovation-driven devel- National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda mary and senior high school level education, with
Emphasis will be placed on keeping main economic opment” the key component of its strategy to for Sustainable Development. China shares and con- the goal of universalising these as well, and is target-
indicators within an appropriate range, bridging maintain healthy economic growth by transform- tributes, through its progress in implementation of ing improvements in vocational education to offer
internal development gaps and increasing people’s ing the growth model from traditional factor- and the 2030 Agenda, to the vision of a world of univer- training and better paths forward for students who China embracing and
well-being as well as warding off and defusing risks. investment-driven to innovation-driven. “Coordi- sal respect for human rights and human dignity, the do not complete high school or attend university, institutionalising the use of
Information and Communication
Pursuing a people-centred development vision, China nated development” aims to address the issue of rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; and to better meet the demands of the new innova-
Technologies at all levels of its
will strive to strengthen endogenous development unbalanced development through focusing on of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; tion-driven economic model. education system
drivers, energise market entities, improve infrastruc- integrated and comprehensive impact, and achieve and of equal opportunity permitting the full realisa-
ture, enhance industrial innovation capability and coordinated development between rural and tion of human potential and contributing to shared
competitiveness, promote ecological improvements urban areas and among regions. “Green develop- prosperity. At the same time, the strongest driving
and raise people’s living standards. ment” represents a vision that “lucid waters and force behind China’s impressive SDG achievements is
not just the SDGs themselves: it is the considerable
alignment between the 2030 Agenda and China’s own
Shared
development agenda. China participated in the first
development
Innovation-driven round of Voluntary National Review in 2016 and all
development the High-level Political Forums, published two SDG
Progress Reports in 2017 and 2019 respectively. In
common with many other countries, China presently
has available official data for roughly one third of all
SDG indicators proposed by the expert group. The UN
Coordinated will support the government’s efforts to improve SDG
development Open development monitoring and measurement, including through the
development of a national indicator system, and the
Green
development improvement in compiling more disaggregated data
including on vulnerable groups.
8 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 9
Regarding SDG 5, based on the Constitution Industrial Revolution technologies, to drive industri-
and Law on the Protection of Women’s Rights and alisation and infrastructure expansion. But there is
Interests, China has established the legal system to room for improvement in terms of harnessing inno-
protect women’s rights. China has also made signifi- vations for resource efficiency and greater adoption
cant achievements in women’s employment, poverty of clean and environmentally sound technologies by
alleviation, education, health and social security. industry.
As in much of the world, China will require a sus- China’s contribution to the global dimension of
tained effort to ensure gender equality and women’s SDG 10 is large and multi-faceted. The significant
empowerment, including by strengthening ongoing income increases for China’s 1.4 billion people have
efforts to address prevailing social and economic reduced global inequality markedly. China is the
drivers of gender inequality. largest importer from Africa and many developing
China’s progress toward SDGs 6, 7, 8 and 9 has countries elsewhere, contributing to their develop-
also been strong overall, driven by Government ment as well. Through international development
investments in infrastructure, business promo- cooperation including on infrastructure connectivity,
tion and innovation. The penetration ratios of cen- China is directly contributing to development around
tralised water supply and tap water in Chinese rural the globe. China’s ambitious new urbanisation
areas were 87% and 82%, respectively, at the end of agenda is strongly aligned with SDG 11. Progress
2019, up from 82% and 76% at the end of 2015 (SDG has been made in provision of public services for
6). China has achieved universal electrification (SDG rural migrant workers and their families, including
7), including in remote rural areas, and is steadily those left behind in rural areas and a social security
increasing the share of renewables in total energy system covering both urban and rural residents is
mix. China’s economic growth (SDG 8) is still strong by taking shape. Steady progress has also been made in
any international standards, and employment gener- building government subsidised housing projects to tainable development, ensure responsive, inclusive, Further progress will entail addressing a number
ation is a top priority, with steady growth in employ- meet basic needs and the middle-income group has participatory and representative decision-making at of cross-cutting challenges. Persistent internal devel-
ment and an average of over 13 million urban jobs been expanding. all levels and provide adequate and timely access to opment gaps across urban-rural and inter-regional
created each year. A new priority is strengthening the Government efforts to boost responsible con- information for the public. divides, income inequalities and gaps between dif-
inclusiveness and quality of employment, through sumption (SDG 12) include improved urban waste China’s major contributions to SDG 17 through ferent population groups in terms of key measures
policies aimed at gender equality in employment management and the planned phased reduction of the country’s international development initiatives of well-being remain, and present challenges to
(including equal pay between men and women), and single-use plastics. China’s climate actions (SDG 13) have been highlighted earlier. ensuring employment, education, healthcare,
decent work for persons with disabilities and for all include increasing the use of renewable energy and housing, and elderly care and achieving equalisation
3. National Bureau of Statistics of China, http://www.
young people, including the relatively low-skilled. For promoting new energy vehicles, in which China is a stats.gov.cn/tjgz/tjdt/202002/t20200201_1724811.html in public service delivery.
SDG 9, China has made notable progress in pursuit global leader. While China’s annual greenhouse gas 4. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2019-06/04/ While China’s development has been highly
content_5397350.htm
of an innovation-based approach, drawing on Fourth emissions are lower than many countries on a per inclusive, challenges remain in “leaving no one
capita basis, in absolute terms they have become behind”. The UN analysis during the development
the largest in the world, reflecting the size of China’s 1.4 Gaps and Challenges of the Cooperation Framework identified a number
economy and the fact that China is still a developing Some acute problems caused by unbalanced and of groups who are more at risk of being left behind
country. In terms of the enabling policies to manage inadequate development across urban-rural and in China. These include rural migrant workers in
climate-related hazards and risks, China has adopted inter-regional divides and different population urban areas, people living in relatively remote
a comprehensive National Plan on Disaster Preven- groups, await solutions; and the quality and effect regions with arduous natural conditions, persons
tion and Reduction (2016-2020), which embraces a of development are not what they should be. Chi- with disabilities, the growing elderly population,
paradigmatic shift from post-disaster relief to pre-di- na’s ability to innovate needs to be stronger, the real left-behind rural children, children and women in
saster prevention. Towards SDG 15, China is actively economy awaits improvement; there is a long way to difficulty, rural smallholder farmers, informal sector
engaged in biodiversity conservation and as of end go in protecting the environment and addressing cli- workers, victims of human trafficking, and people
2018 had set up 2,750 nature reserves with a total mate change. living with HIV. For China’s women and girls, there
area of 1.47 million square kilometres. The long-term challenge of relative poverty will still remains room for improvement in addressing
Under SDG 16, China has conducted a long-term remain, and addressing it will be the next priority in the social and economic drivers of gender inequal-
anti-corruption programme, and implemented the China’s poverty alleviation agenda. To consolidate ity. These groups frequently overlap, and the inter-
National Programme of Action for Child Develop- achievements to date and truly eliminate poverty, secting vulnerabilities and cumulative discrimina-
ment (2011-2020), the Law on the Protection of robust approaches and mechanisms for tackling tion leave some groups particularly marginalised.
Minors and the National Plan of Action on Combat- relative poverty as well as more expansive defini- These groups often also experience differenti-
ing Trafficking in Persons (2013-2020). At the same tions of poverty including the urban population, ated vulnerabilities to climate and disaster risks
time, China is making more efforts to promote and and relative and multidimensional measures will be and impact from disaster events (e.g. earthquakes,
Empowering women in rural areas to overcome poverty
enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sus- needed. landslides).
10 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 11
CHAPTER 2: a healthier and more resilient environment – on
land, under water, in the oceans and in the atmo-
sphere - including the transition to people-centred,
low-carbon and circular economy and risk-informed
development and enhanced natural resources man-
This strategic priority aims to support China’s
open development by drawing on domestic and
international resources and strengthening
growing role, influence and potential in international
development and to promote economic, social, envi-
its
agement capacity. ronmental, and cultural sustainability and contrib-
UN DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
ute to achievement of the SDGs in China and across
Priority 3 –Partnerships: Realising the full potential the world.
SUPPORT TO THE 2030 AGENDA
of China’s international engagement to promote its open Under the three Strategic Priorities, there are six
development and partnerships to accelerate achievement high-level Outcome results for which the UN System
of the SDGs across the world. will contribute towards the achievement:
2.1 Cooperation Framework Equitable and high-quality economic, social and Strategic Priority 1
Strategic Priorities human development for all throughout the life-course. People and Prosperity: Achieving Innovation-driven, Coordinated and Shared Development
Outcome 1: Relative poverty and multi- Outcome 2: People’s lives in China are improved
The development of this UNSDCF is guided by the This strategic priority aims to support China’s
dimensional poverty are reduced, and more further as headway is made in ensuring access to
following principles: goal of achieving innovation-driven, coordinated coordinated development leads to reduction childcare, education, healthcare services, elderly care,
and shared development and improving the lives of in gaps between rural and urban areas and housing and social assistance, and more people in
i. Leaving no one behind all people in China. Its core facets are the promotion among regions, as more people in China, China, including left-behind groups, benefit from
including left-behind groups, benefit from equitable and high-quality public services and social
ii. Right to Development and Dignity of innovation and cooperation in advanced technol-
sustainable, innovation-driven and shared high- protection systems as well as accelerated efforts to
iii. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment ogies, boosting coordinated development between quality economic development, with enhanced reduce gender inequality and other forms of social
iv. Sustainability rural and urban areas and among regions and access to economic opportunities arising inequality throughout the life-course.
v. Resilience reducing relative poverty and multi-dimensional through innovation, entrepreneurship and rural
revitalisation, enjoying decent work, sustainable Output 2.1: UN analytical inputs and technical
vi. Accountability poverty. It aims to ensure that all people in China,
livelihoods and the right to development, equally assistance have helped to strengthen China’s
including left-behind groups, share in high-quality, for both women and men. capacity to design and implement gender-responsive
Based on these principles and on widespread inclusive, participatory and innovative people-cen- and evidence-based policies and programmes to
joint and individual agency consultations with gov- tred development, allowing them to develop to Output 1.1: UN analytical inputs and technical sustainably address China’s demographic transition.
assistance have helped to strengthen China’s
ernment counterparts and other development their full potential, be able to enjoy decent work,
capacity to implement policies that better incentivise Output 2.2: With UN analytical inputs and technical
partners, three overarching Strategic Priorities quality jobs and sustainable livelihoods as well as and stimulate public and private innovation and assistance, China is better able to deliver equitable
for 2021-2025 were formulated. They are closely well-being, dignity and benefit from accelerated investment to reduce skills mismatches, income and high-quality and gender-responsive health and
aligned with the Government’s policy agenda, and efforts to reduce gender inequality and other forms inequality and the gap between urban and rural care services accessible to all throughout the life-
areas, and consolidate achievements in poverty course, designed to respond to the country’s changing
will be reviewed carefully again by the UN in collab- of inequality throughout their life-course.
alleviation demographics and disease burden.
oration with the Government after the release of
China’s 14th FYP to identify ways to further enhance Priority 2 – Planet: Achieving Green Develop
ment Output 1.2: UN analytical inputs and Output 2.3: UN analytical inputs and technical
that alignment: towards a more sustainable and resilient environment. technical assistance have helped to assistance have helped to strengthen China’s capacity
strengthen the capacity of China’s government, to provide access to adequate and high-quality social
workers’ and employers’ organisations, as well protection mechanisms and services for all people in
Priority 1 - People and Prosperity: Achieving Inno‑ This strategic priority aims to support China’s goal as other relevant stakeholders to develop and China throughout the life-course.
vation-driven, Coordinated and Shared Development. of green development through actions to ensure implement laws, policies and regulations to
promote more widespread access to an Output 2.4: UN analytical inputs and technical
equitable labour market and job opportunities, assistance have helped to strengthen China’s capacity
and that provide adequate protection and to develop and implement evidence-based laws,
Right to
Sustainability equal recognition of employment value for all policies and programmes to promote gender equality,
Development Gender Equality Accountability
persons of working age in diverse forms of work and reduce domestic violence, social exclusion, and
and Dignity and Women’s
arrangements. other forms of social inequality discrimination.
Empowerment
Shared Output 1.3 and 2.5: The public discourse, awareness and engagement in equitable and inclusive sustainable
human, social and economic development and the SDGs is increased.
Shared Output 1.4 and 2.6: With UN analytical inputs and technical assistance, China is better able to deliver
Leaving no inclusive, adaptive and quality lifelong education, learning and skills development which is accessible to all and
one behind relevant for life and work in the context of a rapidly evolving economic and social transformation.
Resilience
12 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 13
Strategic Priority 2
Planet: Achieving Green Development
Outcome 3: People in China and the region benefit Outcome 4: China accelerates its transition to
from a healthier and more resilient environment. a people-centred, inclusive, low-carbon, and
circular economy.
Output 3.1: Farmers, fishers, foresters, and livestock
owners (both male and female) have enhanced Output 4.1: Innovative new models to reduce
skills, abilities, and access to adopt and implement GHG/CO2/ODS emissions are available, including
sustainable and resilient practices in their work, with public-private partnership approaches to
UN programmes, analytical inputs and technical implement sustainable low-carbon practices,
assistance. with UN programmes, analytical inputs and technical
assistance.
Output 3.2: UN analytical inputs and technical
assistance have helped to strengthen China’s Output 4.2: UN analytical inputs and technical
resources and capacity for developing, implementing assistance have helped to strengthen the capacity
and enforcing sustainable and safe agriculture, food of national and sub-national authorities to develop,
production and consumption practices, urbanisation implement and monitor national commitments
and biodiversity conservation policies and investments and national policies that address climate change,
at national and local levels. disaster risk, reduce environmental pollution, and
ensure sustainable, healthy and resilient living Northern Pasture and Livestock Development Project
Output 3.3: With UN analytical inputs and technical environments.
assistance, China develops and adopts innovative
technologies, approaches, and gender-responsive
practices in support of climate and disaster resilience
and biodiversity conservation, including for left- 2.2 Cooperation Framework
of rural-urban development gaps, the UN will focus
behind groups. Outcomes on initiatives to promote modern agriculture produc-
Output 3.4: UN analytical inputs and technical tion and agribusiness, and pilot agricultural opera-
assistance have helped to strengthen China’s capacity UN Contributions to Outcome 1 tions of varying scale and form, improve specialised
to engage in multilateral agreements to which it is
agricultural services and promote the integrated
a Party and transboundary platforms to address
emerging environmental, agricultural, and health development of the primary, secondary, and tertiary
issues linked to climate change. Outcome 1: Relative poverty and multi- industries in rural areas. Targeted approaches will be
dimensional poverty are reduced, and more supported by the UN to support rural entrepreneur-
Shared Output (3.5 and 4.3): The public discourse and action on the impact of climate change, disasters, the
importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable production and consumption patterns is increased.
coordinated development leads to reduction ship and e-commerce opportunities, to encourage
in gaps between rural and urban areas and rural youth to return to their home areas to start busi-
among regions, as more people in China, nesses, to encourage farmers to seek employment or
including left-behind groups, benefit from start businesses in places close to their homes, and to
sustainable, innovation-driven and shared increase non-farming income opportunities for rural
high-quality economic development, with smallholders, including through agro-processing and
Strategic Priority 3
Partnerships: Achieving Open Development enhanced access to economic opportunities local value addition, including by leveraging culture.
arising through innovation, entrepreneurship The UN will leverage its expertise and resources to
Outcome 5: China’s international financing, Outcome 6: Through South-South cooperation
and rural revitalisation, enjoying decent help promote the transformation and upgrading of
investments and business engagements, including and humanitarian cooperation, China makes
through connectivity initiatives, programmes and greater contributions to SDG attainment and the work, sustainable livelihoods and the right to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery and
projects, contribute to SDG attainment in partner principles of the 2030 Agenda, including leaving no development equally for both women and men. agro-processing industry through innovation, and
countries. one behind.
support the Government’s endeavors for modern agri-
Output 5.1: With UN analytical inputs and Output 6.1: With UN analytical inputs and technical The UN will support the Government to develop cultural facilities, safe drinking water, and better living
technical assistance, China’s regulatory assistance, the Government and other Chinese
long-term approaches and mechanisms for solv- and working environments in rural areas. To stimulate
authorities, corporate sector and development institutions have strengthened the design and
banks are better able to develop, implement delivery of evidence-informed development and ing relative poverty and multi-dimensional poverty, public and private investment in rural areas, the UN
and financially support socially, environmentally, humanitarian cooperation assistance better in strengthen the organic connection between poverty will undertake a series of initiatives with the Govern-
culturally and economically sustainable and line with international economic, social, and alleviation and rural revitalisation, enhance the Gov- ment and—with the consent of the national Govern-
risk-informed investment programmes and environmental sustainability standards and priorities
ernment’s multi-dimensional poverty monitoring ment—work with subnational governments and the
business models that contribute to global SDG of partner countries and other stakeholders.
attainment. capabilities, and incorporate relevant cooperation corporate sector to invest in the SDGs and reduce the
Output 6.2: China, as a developing country, has
into subsequent poverty alleviation projects. gap between urban and rural areas.
Output 5.2: With UN analytical inputs and technical strengthened South-South and trilateral cooperation
assistance, China’s public investment policies and and partnerships with other countries, platforms and To support the Government’s rural revitalisation The UN will support the Government to develop a
implementation strategies contribute more to entities including the United Nations development strategy, increase rural opportunities and incomes modernised economy through innovation, promote
global economic, social, cultural and environmental and humanitarian system and agencies, for the and contribute to reduction of relative poverty and advanced manufacturing, accelerate the upgrading
sustainability and the SDGs. achievement of the SDGs around the world.
14 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 15
opportunities for all people in China to fully partic- locally integrated refugees and those in rural and
ipate in the labour market and enjoy decent work, remote areas; support the strengthening of general
and strengthen occupational health safety. and vocational education (compulsory and senior
secondary) to promote inclusion of information
UN Contributions to Outcome 2 literacy and information technologies mainstream-
ing in learning as well as foundational and life-
skills approaches; promote university partnerships
Outcome 2: People’s lives in China are
through SSC and academic recognition and student
improved further as headway is made in
exchange to provide open and distance learning
ensuring access to childcare, education,
platforms and teacher training; provide support to
healthcare services, elderly care, housing
of traditional industries, stimulate entrepreneurship the Government to design demonstration courses
and social assistance, and more people in
and innovation, boost the real economy by foster- on SDGs to build capacity in the young generation
China, including left-behind groups, benefit
ing new growth areas and drivers through research, and unlock their huge potential in contributing to
from equitable and high-quality public
development and international cooperation on the sustainable development; build national capacity
services and social protection systems as
internet, big data, artificial intelligence and other in delivering comprehensive sexuality education to
well as accelerated efforts to reduce gender
frontier and disruptive technologies. The UN will equip young people with knowledge, skills and atti-
inequality and other forms of social inequality
expand support to small and medium enterprises, tudes for a healthy and productive life free from
throughout the life-course.
helping them promote innovation, apply advances HIV and sexually transmitted infections, unintended
in science and technology, improve internal man- pregnancies and gender-based violence.
agement, enhance social responsibility and manage The UN will carry out a series of activities to sup- The UN will continue to collaborate with the Gov-
risk to improve productivity, working conditions and port the Government in more effective and inno- ernment to implement its Healthy China Action Plan programmatic support, policy research and capacity Targeted Aid for the Most
Vulnerable and Disadvantaged
decent work, and promote inclusive growth. vative delivery of public services so as to ensure 2019-2030 and realise Universal Health Coverage building. It will inform national and subnational
Children through the model of
The UN will support the Government in pursuing and promote people’s wellbeing. The UN will sup- (UHC) in China. The UN will support the deepen- decisions on improving the basic medical insurance Barefoot Social Workers
a proactive employment policy, striving to achieve port China to achieve its goal of comprehensively ing of health sector reform that takes basic health- system, pension schemes, unemployment insur-
fuller employment and create better-quality jobs, establishing a basic public service standard system care services as a public good, which has a focus on ance, work-related injury insurance, social assistance
improve public employment services, and build an by 2025, and will develop a list of public services building a People Centred Integrated Care service systems, support and caring for children, women
educated, skilled, and innovative workforce. Through other than the national basic list for the reference delivery model with strong primary health care, and elderly people left behind in rural areas, as well
programming in the areas of technical and vocational of the Government. as well as supporting the development and imple- as rehabilitation services and full social inclusion for
education and training, specialised skills training, and The UN will support the Government’s efforts mentation of health-related legislation. The UN will persons with disabilities. The UN will continue to work
lifelong learning, the UN will help promote capacity to promote education modernisation and advise support utilisation of increased investment in the with the Government to develop ways of providing
building and knowledge sharing, raise productivity of on the development of a lifelong learning national prevention and treatment of emerging and infec- adequate protection to workers in informal employ-
the working-age labour force, open more channels policy framework and associated standards and cur- tious diseases and support preparedness of commu- ment, including gig workers, care workers and migrant
for young people, rural migrant workers, people ricula through technical assistance so as to ensure nities and health systems for responding to health workers. Further efforts will be focused on continued
living with HIV and others to find jobs and start their fair access to good education for all. The UN will emergencies. The UN will support reducing the risk provision of support and assistance in migration man-
own businesses, and promote gender equality at support the development of compulsory education of communicable and non-communicable diseases, agement and strengthening multi-sectoral coordina-
work. The UN will support the government’s policy in rural areas to promote coordinated development including through healthier diets, more physical tion and response systems relating to prevention and
response to the impact of disruptive technologies in line with that in urban areas; scale up early child- activity, improved hygiene practices, reduced alcohol, response to domestic violence and human trafficking.
and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolu- hood education, preschool education, online educa- tobacco and drug consumption, along with efforts to The UN will support the Government to address the
tion, through policy and legislation recommenda- tion and continuing education with emphasis placed reduce unintentional death and injury caused by road rapidly ageing population by strengthening the Gov-
tions, frontier research, and evidence-based analysis, on access for children facing special difficulties, and traffic accidents and improve occupational health ernment’s research on population dynamics, low fertil-
enabling the labour force to realise a smooth and including orphans, children affected by migration services. The UN will support the health system to ity and ageing through UN technical support and policy
inclusive workforce transformation, ensure equal (including those left-behind and migrant children), improve neonatal, child, adolescent and maternal analysis. The UN will support the Government’s efforts
health and nutrition services, and early childhood in promoting the development of women, children
development services, strengthen sexual and repro- and persons with disabilities, ensuring their legitimate
Education
ductive health information and services, and improve rights and interests, preventing and responding to
Childcare health-seeking behaviours and family care practices. violence and crimes against women and children. The
Housing The UN will support HIV treatment and prevention, UN will work with and assist the Government’s efforts
the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of to create a cleaner cyberspace including through col-
HIV, and enhanced capacity of the Government, com- laboration with information and communications tech-
munity-based organisations, and other partners to nology (ICT) providers in consultation with the Govern-
Elderly care prevent stigma and discrimination. ment, and build the skills of children, adolescents, and
The UN will support the Government to strengthen women to better protect themselves. Gender equality
Healthcare
the social protection system through technical and will be highlighted in relevant UN-supported initiatives
16 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the People’s Republic of China 2021 – 2025 17including through actions to further the Government’s ment concepts and technologies for rural revit- emissions. In the area of food security and agricul- The UN will support the development and testing
own efforts to promote gender equality by enhanc- alisation across China, continue to support tural development, the UN will promote food loss of innovative new models to reduce greenhouse
ing women’s economic empowerment, reducing gen- the development of and training in innovative and waste reduction to increase productivity and gases, CO2 and ODS emissions, to address indoor
der-based violence and harassment, promoting the approaches and practices, including co-manage- food security; support capacity development of air pollution through operational research and to
redistribution of unpaid care work and the role of ment models, especially in poor areas. Agroecol- national and local authorities to fight against animal, increase access to safely managed sanitation at
women in leadership and management positions, and ogy, and environmental-friendly sustainable liveli- plant pests and diseases; advance modern family home and in public facilities, particularly in rural
addressing the gender pay gap. hood approaches will be promoted on a widespread farming to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture poverty areas and lower-income urban settings so
basis, including at selected World Heritage sites and development and inclusive food value chain devel- as to promote more sustainable, healthy and resil-
UN Contributions to Outcome 3 Biosphere Reserves, based on which nature educa- opment; strengthen preventive biosecurity and san- ient living environments and reduce the human
tion modules will be developed as a complemen- itation measures in China’s food value chain; support impact of environmental pollution. Risk-informed
tary source of livelihood focusing on biodiversity demonstration and training on sustainable and resil- and child-friendly approaches to urban planning will
Outcome 3: People in China and the region
monitoring and traditional knowledge in disaster ient practices and technologies in agricultural mech- be promoted. Support will be provided by the UN to
benefit from a healthier and more resilient
risk reduction. Technical support will be provided anisation, conservation agriculture and integrated improve the living environment in rural areas includ-
environment.
for the development and implementation of inte- straw management; and promote the application of ing through the rural toilet revolution, and improved
grated management plans and policies on sustain- ICT in agriculture. garbage and sewage treatment.
In support of international commitments towards able agriculture and biodiversity conservation, and
climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction for enhancement of public awareness and concern
and other activities to preserve the environment, the on biodiversity conservation and the sustainable
UN will invest in policy engagement, advocacy and utilisation of natural resources.
modelling of actions for the implementation of the Amongst other activities towards supporting the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate creation of a more resilient and healthy environ-
Change, the Paris Agreement, the Stockholm ment, the UN will: help strengthen protected area
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants , the and wetland management; reduce and remediate
Minamata Convention on Mercury , the Montreal land degradation; support the adoption of sustain-
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, able agricultural practices to reduce eutrophication
the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary of aquatic environments, soil and water pollution;
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal promote fertigation and phase out of harmful fer-
and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction tilisers and chemicals towards increasing soil health
2015-2030. The UN will help facilitate the coordination and reducing carbon emissions; strengthen capacity
of regional and transboundary work addressing building for climate-smart agriculture and sustain-
environmental challenges through regional UN able agriculture; and promote sustainable forest
entities and existing platforms and mechanisms. management to enhance reforestation, restoration
The UN will provide technical support and assis- and rehabilitation, while contributing to improved The Forbidden City - one of the
tance to model and operationalise green develop- carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas 55 World Heritage sites in China
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