New York – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the People’s Republic of China signed on Sept. 19 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the margins of the 71st United Nations General Assembly during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit.

The MOU, signed by Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP, and Mr. Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is a strategic cooperation framework that aims to enhance collaboration between UNDP and the Chinese government for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the Belt and Road Initiative to jointly build the “Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” during visits to Central and Southeast Asia in 2013. Through connectivity, it will foster unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.

“The Belt and Road Initiative represents a powerful platform for economic growth and regional co-operation, involving more than 4 billion people, many of whom live in developing countries,” said Clark. “It can serve as an important catalyst and accelerator for the sustainable development goals.”

“This is the first MOU signed between the Government of China and an international organization on promoting the BRI,” said Xu Shaoshi. “Engaging an international organization is a new and innovative development in the BRI.”

“We look forward to working with China to mobilize and facilitate co-ordination among all stakeholders involved to create an environment which will promote poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and inclusive social development,” added Clark.