BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative offers many practical opportunities to change people's lives, and UNICEF is very happy to cooperate, senior UN official Anthony Lake said Monday.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) chief praised the Belt and Road Initiative, calling it an "extraordinary strategic vision."

Lake said while there is a focus on trade and infrastructure, he is also looking forward to the human development the initiative can deliver.

"It is human beings that make development happen, and it's human beings that benefit from development," Lake said.

The UNICEF chief said the healthy growth of children is among the great accomplishments the initiative can make.

Lake said work needs to be done on children's health and reducing child mortality. The key to future prosperity is educating children so they want to contribute to their societies and become good citizens.

The key priority for UNICEF is to reduce inequality, and he is looking forward to cooperating with the Chinese government on this issue, Lake said.

"You have to focus education on the most disadvantaged children, so that when they grow up, they can compete in an even playing field with the children of the wealthy and better-off," said Lake.

"Shifting educational resources and helping improve education of the poor is the best investment you can possibly make," he said.

Unlike China, children in some nations don't have a childhood, so it is imperative for countries to work together and give these children a better chance to grow up, according to Lake.

"I wish while children in China are enjoying their own childhoods, remember out there in the world there are those who are not," said Lake. "If they can have a better life, that will not only be good for their countries, but for China as well."