Ding Xuexiang, China’s vice premier and special representative of President Xi Jinping, emphasized the need to strengthen early warning systems and improve climate adaptation capabilities. He delivered these remarks at a high-level meeting hosted by China on early warnings, held during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
As a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Ding highlighted China’s commitment to international cooperation on meteorological early warnings, a priority set forth by President Xi. He stressed the importance of this collaboration amid a global increase in the impact of climate change, marked by more frequent and extreme weather events that threaten lives, property, and socio-economic progress. This reality, according to Ding, makes strengthening early warning systems and climate adaptation efforts increasingly critical.
China is prepared to collaborate with other nations to promote the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative, aiming to make substantial contributions to combating climate change.
Three proposals by Ding Xuexiang
Ding presented three proposals during his address.
- First, he called for collective efforts to enhance global risk assessment capabilities and standardize climate risk assessments to strengthen scientific foundations for climate governance.
- Second, he proposed the establishment of a global early warning network, encouraging technological sharing, improved system integration, and enhanced global early warning systems.
- Third, he suggested forming a climate adaptation partnership, announcing China’s intention to implement a South-South cooperation project focused on early warning for climate change. This initiative would involve providing developing countries with meteorological observation tools, early warning technologies, and capacity-building support.
The meeting was also attended by COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Climate Action Selwin Hart, World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, and Kamal Kishore, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, all of whom delivered remarks.
Moreover, at the event, China released its Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025-2027).
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