The 2023 United Nations World Investment Forum was held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on the morning of October 16, 2023.
The event was attended by 6,000 key stakeholders from the global investment community, representing 160 countries. These participants included individuals from various sectors such as regulatory bodies, executives from stock exchanges, private and institutional investors, corporate leaders, family business owners, sovereign wealth fund managers, infrastructure development fund representatives, investment promotion agencies, investment treaty negotiators, investment lawyers, accounting standards developers, members of the academic community, and international media.
Speech by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Assairs of the kingdom of Bahrain
Dr. Zhang Ling Xiang (Kelly Zhang), the founder of the Asia-Europe Union's Center for Cross-Cultural Exchange, an expert in international compliance management for the China Business Association, and the founder of the Belt and Road Education and Innovation Academy, as well as Shenzhen BOS Education Industry Co., Ltd., was invited to participate in this global investment event.
Dr.Zhang LingXiang(Kelly ZHANG),The founder of the Asia-Europe Union’s Center for Cross-cultural Exchange
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), economist Rebecca Greenspan, delivered speeches at the event. The eighth forum focused on the theme of "Sustainable Investment" and brought together heads of state, ministers, CEOs of multinational corporations, and other investment stakeholders. Through a series of local and international forums and meetings, they developed policies and strategies to address key and emerging investment development challenges, recognizing that sustainable development is the decisive challenge of our time and offers an excellent opportunity to promote the transition to a more sustainable economy, especially for developing countries.
Speech by Ms.REBECA-GRYNSPAN,Secretary-General of the United Nations
Rebecca Greenspan, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, pointed out that funds for new renewable energy plants, water and sanitation facilities, agricultural projects, and hospitals are insufficient. Only 5% of all sustainable funds are allocated to developing countries. The funds exist, but their distribution has been misguided. Leaders from various countries, including German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck, discussed how to close the SDG investment gap, mobilize sustainable funds in the global capital markets, ensure the sustainability of sustainable finance standards, and allocate more funds to the most needed areas.
Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, mentioned that from now until 2030, changing agricultural food systems in low- and middle-income countries will cost $680 billion annually. Therefore, it is urgent to attract efficient public and private sector investments in agricultural food systems to reduce food insecurity, promote rural employment, especially for women and youth. More sustainable funds need to be invested in food production in the global capital markets, requiring solutions to challenges related to risk, institutional capacity, investment promotion, and business facilitation.
The World Investment Forum (WIF) is a global forum on international investment and development issues organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The forum is held every two years and is the world's largest high-level dialogue and action platform on investment and development. It aims to formulate strategies to address global investment and development challenges, promote connections between global business and political leaders, stimulate public and private action on sustainable investment, and provide a unique opportunity to influence investment decisions and shape the global investment environment.
Dr. Zhang Ling Xiang (Kelly Zhang) discussed opportunities for trade cooperation between China and Kazakhstan with the Minister of the Ministry of Comprehensive Business of Kazakhstan from the five Central Asian countries.
In 2023, the eighth World Investment Forum was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from October 16 to 20. Previous events were held in Accra (2008), Xiamen (2010), Doha (2012), Geneva (2014), Nairobi (2016), Geneva (2018), and Bern (2020).
Dr. Zhang ling xiang (Founder of Global Symbiosis Business School)together with Paula Narvaez Ojeda(Ambassador of Chile to the UN）
Dr. Zhang Ling Xiang (Kelly Zhang) expressed that within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Asia-Europe Union's Center for Cross-Cultural Exchange and the Global Coexistence Business School intend to organize Chinese entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, and investors to participate in United Nations conferences each year. They also plan to collaborate with UN agencies to co-host various forums and meetings. Moreover, they will recommend personnel, volunteers, interns, and participants for Model United Nations activities to various UN organizations and meetings. Their goal is to establish an innovative bridge for experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives from various fields to engage with the United Nations. This initiative aims to create a platform that enables outstanding representatives from various sectors to raise their voices to the world, contributing collectively to the sustainable development of the globe.
Dr. Zhang Ling Xiang (Kelly Zhang) extended her friendly assistance to Mr. Salama, a Libyan diplomat, in facilitating his media interview.
In a world where various heads of state arrive in Beijing to attend the Third Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum while political leaders from the Middle East gather in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, to participate in the eighth World Investment Forum, they engage in friendly discussions and jointly advance the sustainable development agenda to contribute the strength of all countries to the community of shared future for humanity.
Dr. Zhang ling xiang (the founder of the Belt and Road Education and Innovation Academy) with Deputy Prime and Minister of Communications of Indonesia
Dr. Zhang Ling Xiang (Kelly Zhang),Founder of the Asia-Europe Union Center for Cultural Exchange between China and Foreign Countries, attended the event as a guest, seizing the opportunity of cultural exchange and business cooperation, and participated in the conference program. She expressed her best wishes for the prosperity of the motherland, world peace, connectivity, and mutual development.
