On September 11, 2019, the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University (TUSDG) and the School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM) held the “Meet SDGs High-End Forum No.7” in the Auditorium of SPPM.
Dr. Heinz Fischer, International Advisory Committee Member of TUSDG, President of Austria-China Friendship Association and former Austrian President, delivered a speech entitled “China, Europe and the SDGs”. Professor Zhu Xufeng, Associate Dean of SPPM and Executive Director of TUSDG, presided over the forum. Wu Hongbo, Adjunct Professor of Tsinghua University, Co-Director TUSDG and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered an opening speech. Dr. Friedrich Stift, Austrian Ambassador to China, Margit Fischer, Dr. Heinz Fischer’s wife, Monika Fröhler, Secretary General, Lv Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of European & Asian Affairs of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Wang Hui, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange of Tsinghua University, Pan Jie, Professor of SPPM and nearly 200 students attended the forum.
Prof. Wu Hongbo awarded the Appointment Letter of International Advisory Committee Member of TUSDG to Dr. Heinz Fischer.
Wu Hongbo (left) issues letter of appointment to Heinz Fischer (right)
In his speech entitled “China, Europe and the SDGs”, Fischer cut into the theme from the perspective of the origin and historical development of Chinese civilization, from ancient Greek civilization and Chinese culture to today’s globalized and multipolar international system, from the First and Second World Wars to current trade frictions, from the evolution of political systems in China and EU to the development of China-EU relations, and made a brilliant analysis and summary of the situation in China and Europe.
When it comes to China’s economic and social development in the past 70 years, he described it with “amazing speed and unparalleled vitality”. Later, when it comes to China's "Belt and Road" initiative (BRI), he pointed out that the synergy effect in the field of infrastructure and interconnection between China and Europe has begun to take shape, and BRI will further promote the development of Sino-EU relations.
Fischer also pointed out that every country has the right and obligation to pay attention to the progress of the UN 2030 Agenda and do its best to support the implementation of the SDGs. He also took this opportunity to thank China, like many countries in Europe, for their efforts in the direction of sustainable development goals and for taking concrete actions and steps to help achieve them.
At the end of the speech, he encouraged Tsinghua students to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations into their personal life and career, and the new generation of young people will determine the future direction of social development.
Fischer during his speech
After the speech, Fischer and Monika Fröhler answered to the audience’s questions about the global cooperation of sustainable development goals, the different risks of sustainable development in different countries, the empowerment of young women and zero hunger.
The main scene of the event
