A policy dialogue on human development was held in Beijing on Monday to discuss pathways for advancing sustainable development for humans and the planet amid short-term volatility and long-term structural changes and challenges.

The dialogue, co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China and the China Institute for Development Planning of Tsinghua University, brought together domestic and international experts, as well as development practitioners, to exchange ideas on the next frontier of human development in light of global challenges and discuss approaches for advancing development progress.

In her keynote speech, Kanni Wignaraja, director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the UNDP, underscored the existential threats posed by climate change, wars, and pandemics. She also discussed challenges in achieving economic growth and job creation amid the ongoing technological and demographic shifts. Wignaraja's speech highlighted the organization's newly released 2024 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report, which advocates for a people-centric approach, inclusive and sustainable growth, and enhanced execution capabilities.

"In an era of rapid and unprecedented global changes, we must explore strategies for navigating the increasingly volatile and complex global environment, and rebuild the confidence and consensus of all people to work together for development," said Peng Gang, vice president of Tsinghua University. "China has historically made substantial contributions to global human development and sustainable development and will continue to play an increasingly important role in the future," Peng noted.

In his presentation, Li Jianwei, director of the Department of Social Development at the Development Research Center of the State Council, highlighted the significant challenges posed by China's low fertility rate and aging population. He emphasized the need to strengthen the implementation of policies that promote childbirth, optimize human capital development, and expand training programs for caregivers to effectively address demographic challenges.

Yang Yongheng, vice dean of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, shared key findings from the university's research collaboration with UNDP China, focusing on the connection between human development and the planet. "The purpose of our joint research is to examine China's advancements in human development over the last decade and progress in promoting common prosperity and sustainable coexistence of humans and nature," Yang said. "This involves examining the updated Human Development Index (HDI) at the prefecture level and the pioneering provincial-level Planetary-adjusted HDI, which takes environmental pressure into account for the first time. These two indices can help identify challenges and inform our future development trajectory."

A policy dialogue on human development is held in Beijing on Nov. 13, 2023. [Photo courtesy of UNDP China]

The keynote speeches were followed by two panel discussions, focusing on sustainability and inclusivity, and on initiatives that combine climate action and nature preservation to advance human development. 

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