On July 8, 2016, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed 100 Chinese philanthropists at the Committee of 100 Global Chinese Philanthropy Symposium, held in Beijing at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. The following is a transcript of his speech.
(Chinese translation of speech at end)
Mr. Frank Wu, Chairman of the Committee of 100, Minister Qiu Yuan Ping, Director for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, and Madam Shirley Young, Co-founder and governor of Committee of 100, distinguished members of the Committee of 100, and His Excellency and Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman.
It is a great pleasure to be here today with you with such distinguished leaders in business and philanthropy community.
Before I say a few words, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my deep thanks for your understanding, very kind understanding when I had to unavoidably cancel my meeting last year, and I know that it was with great embarrassment for you and disappointment for you, and it was myself, I was also very much embarrassed and disappointed. But it was unavoidable. Sometimes it happens to me, so I hope you understand.
Anyway I kept my promise that I’d be there next time, next time, next time is today. And I thank you all for your understanding.
This is an important and timely opportunity for a mutual exchange on how Chinese philanthropy can advance sustainable development in China, in the region and around the world.
Ladies and gentleman, This is an important and timely opportunity for a mutual exchange on how Chinese philanthropy can advance sustainable development in China, in the region and around the world.
China is a key player in our common global effort for economic, social and environmental progress.
The enduring partnership between China and the United Nations is crucially important.
Last September, at the United Nations Headquarters President Xi Jinping demonstrated unequivocal support for the United Nations by announcing a US$1 billion China-UN peace and development fund.
President Xi also called on all world leaders to reject the so-called winner take all mentality, and create a shared future for mankind, based on “win-win cooperation” that everybody appreciated.
China’s perspectives and contributions are indispensable as we embark on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
China’s perspectives and contributions are indispensable as we embark on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals with 17 goals and the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Supported by 17 Goals, the 2030 Agenda is quite simply the biggest and most ambitious and far reaching anti-poverty, pro-planet action plan ever adopted by the United Nations in history.
It is an Agenda for everyone, everywhere.
I do not pretend to be especially wise.
But as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have learned a few lessons. So I can clearly tell you that this Sustainable Development Goals is the most ambitious, flexible but far-reaching vision the world leaders have ever conducted in 70 years of history of United Nations.
Perhaps the most important lesson which I learned is: no country, however big and powerful or resourceful, like China or the United States, or G1 or G2, no institution, however universal like the United Nations, and no individual, however rich one may be, cannot do and cannot address today’s challenges which are now being faced by human beings.
The solutions must involve everyone – world leaders, academia, young people, business CSOs, civil society, and philanthropists like yourselves.
We must work together – across sectors and cultures – in broader and deeper partnerships.
Distinguished members of the C100, Committee 100, and ladies and gentleman, you are among the leading philanthropists and entrepreneurs of Chinese descent.
Distinguished members of the C100, Committee 100, and ladies and gentleman, you are among the leading philanthropists and entrepreneurs of Chinese descent.
The spirit of giving is not new to China and its people.
You have a long tradition of giving, integrated in your culture and history, and in harmony with your values and practices.
Chinese philanthropy has made significant contributions to education, health, the environment and in responding to natural disasters.
You were there when Sichuan suffered a devastating earthquake and, again, you responded with generosity in Yunnan. And I myself was even briefly in Sichuan with the former premier Wen Jiabao and I was deeply impressed by what the Chinese people were helping to rescue all the people to recover from these disasters.
As I travel around the world, I have witnessed first-hand the vibrant promise of philanthropy.
The rise in global philanthropy is unprecedented in modern history, both in its scale and diversity.
In Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, new actors are determined to address local and global challenges.
They are contributing innovative solutions by leading on issues relevant to their reality and in harmony with their culture.
This proliferation of philanthropy is catapulting us into uncharted terrain, bringing unprecedented opportunity.
In China, this rapid transformation has created the need for a new “Chinese Philanthropic Paradigm”, integrated within the global context.
In China, this rapid transformation has created the need for a new “Chinese Philanthropic Paradigm”, integrated within the global context.
I know many of you feel an enormous sense of responsibility.
You also have legitimate questions: How can we achieve the greatest impact? Where should we channel our resources so they are not wasted? How can we engage globally, and do so in harmony with our local reality?
I am not here to ask you to give money to the United Nations.
What I am asking you is align your programs with United Nations values and goals. That means align your projects and programs with sustainable development and climate change.
In particular, I want you to take this 2030 Agenda as your inspiration and guide.
We are the first generation that can end global poverty… We are the last generation to address climate change.
We are the first generation that can end global poverty.
And I’m also saying that we are the last generation to address climate change. We have to do all what we have to do before we direct for our succeeding generation. We have a whole responsibility to deliver this planet earth and environment to our succeeding generation to live sustainably.
We need your help to make SDGs a reality for all people everywhere.
There is no limit to the power of people to make a difference when they join forces for the global good.
That isn’t just wishful thinking.
I have experienced it first-hand myself.
I heard from Chairman Frank Wu that Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister of the UK, who is now working as special envoy on global education He must have told you about what I experienced.
Today, the Republic of Korea is an economic power. It is a totally different world than the country when I was a young boy
When I was just six years old, Korea in 1950, when I had to flee with my parents to a safer place. I was called a so-called ‘internally displaced persons’, IDP’s.
There were millions of IDP’s at the time.
I watched my village burning behind us.
When we came back after three years, after the Korean War was over, only remaining was rubble and destruction. There were all our schools destroyed. There was nothing, no chairs, no desks, no textbooks.
At that time the United Nations came. In fact, not only did the United Nations provided with food and water and shelter, they provided us security.
They were our lifeline, they were our beacon of hope.
At that time, just looking at the blue flag of the United Nations was our protector, was our protector and our savior.
I learned then that solidarity means the difference between complete despair and hope for the better future.
It is why I decided to devote my life to public service.
What can I do for my country, for my team.
That’s why I’m here as UN Secretary-General to ask you to be part of a serious 15-year partnership with the United Nations.
This 2030 Agenda is ending in 2030, so its starting from this year, 15 years. So I’d like to have a 15-year strong partnership with you and all the business leaders and civil society leaders.
I know all of you can help the world make these ambitious Sustainable Development Goals a reality.
The Committee of 100 is a coalition of powerful individuals who care about social transformation…You now have a clear political signal and framework for aligning your action with the global good.
The Committee of 100 is a coalition of powerful individuals who care about social transformation.
You have already proven your immense ability to effect change in the Chinese community.
You now have a clear political signal and framework for aligning your action with the global good.
Now you have a chance to help us make history by intensifying and framing your contributions in the context of the SDGs.
We need to build an inclusive global partnership, with mutual accountability and a fair sharing of responsibilities.
We must combine and capitalize on our comparative strengths and resources to achieve meaningful results.
In this regard, I wish to recognize the new law passed by the Government of China in March this year, which takes steps to create an enabling environment for the domestic philanthropy sector.
And I thank everyone in this room who has helped to seed the grounds for a new era of sustainable development, through your contributions, your advocacy and your example.
Ladies and gentleman,
I sincerely hope that the enduring partnership between China and the United Nations grows even stronger in years to come, and help us to deliver on the full promise of the SDGs.
Let us work together for a life of dignity and opportunity for all. Let us give all the people around the world a strong sense of hope for a better future.
Let us work together for a life of dignity and opportunity for all.
Let us give all the people around the world a strong sense of hope for a better future.
And I thank you for all your strong engagement and commitment.
and I thank everyone,
xie xie.
联合国秘书长潘基文先生于百人会全球华人公益慈善高端对话午餐会上的讲话
北京，2016年7月8日
尊敬的百人会会长吴华扬先生，
中国国务院侨务办公室裘援平主任，
百人会联合创始人兼常务理事杨雪兰女士，
各位杰出的百人会会员，
中国常驻联合国代表（刘结一）阁下、
各位来宾，
女士们，先生们：
很高兴今天能参与此活动，与诸位商业与慈善领域的领袖们共聚一堂。在演讲之前，我想借此机会表达一下我由衷的感谢，感谢诸位对我去年不得不临时取消访问的理解。我知道上次的情况令诸位非常尴尬，也非常失望，我自己亦是如此。但当时也是迫不得已。有时候总会发生这样的事情，希望诸位谅解。
无论如何，我说过下次一定会再来，而今天，我实现了当时的诺言。再次感谢诸位的理解。
女士们、先生们，
对于中国的公益慈善可以如何推动中国、本地区以及全世界的可持续发展，这是一个进行双边交流的重要且及时的机会。
中国是全球为经济、社会及环境进步的共同努力中的关键参与者。中国与联合国之间持久的合作关系至关重要。去年九月，习近平主席在联合国总部宣布了一项10亿美金的中国-联合国和平与发展基金，表达了对联合国的明确支持。
同时，习主席呼吁所有世界领导者拒绝所谓的“赢者通吃”的心态，采取人人赞赏的“双赢合作”策略，创造一个全人类共享的未来。
在我们开始执行拥有17项目标的《2030年可持续发展议程》，以及历史性的《巴黎气候变化协定》之际，中国的观点与贡献至关重要。《2030议程》涵盖17项目标，是联合国史上采行的最大规模、最雄心勃勃、也最影响深远的消除贫穷、保护地球的行动计划。
这是一项关乎每个人、每个地方的议程。
我并不想自视聪明。
但作为联合国秘书长，我学到了一些经验。所以我可以很明确地告诉你们，这项《可持续发展目标》确实是联合国70年历史上、世界领导者们进行过的最雄心勃勃、最灵活也影响最为深远的愿景。
或许我学到的最重要的一课是：没有任何一个国家，无论多大、多强，或资源多么丰富，就像中国或美国，或者说G1或G2，没有任何一个机构，无论其多么全球性，就像联合国这样，也没有任何个人，无论多么富有，能够单独解决如今人类所面临的挑战。
唯一的解决方式就是每一个人一起努力——包括世界领导者、学者、年轻人、企业首席战略官、公民社会、以及像你们一样的慈善家。
我们必须在更广阔、更深入的伙伴关系下一同努力，跨越行业与文化，
尊敬的百人会会员、女士们、先生们，
你们是拥有中国血统的慈善家与企业家中的领袖人物。
对中国与中国人民而言，乐善好施的精神由来已久。
你们拥有乐善好施的悠久传统，融汇于你们的文化与历史中，与你们的价值观与行为相得益彰。
中国的公益慈善在教育、医疗、环境与自然灾害应对方面做出了巨大贡献。
四川遭遇毁灭性地震时，你们伸出援手；云南发生地震时，你们再次慷慨解囊。我本人也曾与前总理温家宝一同简短地访问过四川。当时中国人民为救助受灾人民灾后重建所做出的巨大努力，给我留下了深刻的印象。
当我访问世界各地时，我亲眼见证了公益慈善的光明前景。
全球公益慈善事业的兴起，无论是规模还是多样性，都是近代史上没有前例的。
在非洲、亚洲、中东及拉丁美洲，新的参与者充满了解决当地与全球问题的决心。
他们通过引领与其现实相关、与其文化相融的议题，贡献创新性的解决方案。
公益慈善的这种扩散作用将我们引领到未曾涉足过的领地，创造了史无前例的机遇。
在中国，这种飞速的转变也创造了一个符合全球语境的“中国式公益慈善范例”的需求。
我知道你们中有很多人感到了一种巨大的责任感。
你可能也有这样的合理的问题：我们将如何实现最大的影响？我们应该将资源集中在何处从而避免浪费？我们如何能进行全球性参与，并且以与本地现实相协调的形式进行？
我并不是来要求你们向联合国捐款。
我要求你们的是把你们的项目与联合国的价值与目标相结合，也就是把你们的项目和方案与可持续发展和气候变化相结合。
尤其是希望你们以这一《2030议程》作为灵感和指导。
我们是第一代可以结束全球贫困的人。
但我们也是最后一代应对气候变化的人。在为下一代指引道路之前，我们必须尽我们所能。我们负有完全的责任，将这个地球和环境交给下一代，让他们得以可持续地生活。
我们需要你们的帮助，让所有地方的所有人民实现可持续发展目标。
当人民为了全球的利益联合起来，做出改变的力量将没有极限。
这并不是痴心妄想。
我本人就有亲身经历。
我从百人会会长吴华扬处听说，英国前首相、现任联合国全球教育特使戈登·布朗告诉了你们我的经历。
今天的韩国是一个经济强国。但当我是一个小男孩的时候，是一个完全不同的世界。我六岁时，也就是1950年的韩国，我与我的父母不得不逃离到一个更安全的地方。我就是所谓的“境内流离失所者”（IDP）。
当时有几百万境内流离失所者。
我看着我的村庄在身后燃烧。
当我们在三年后回来时，朝鲜战争结束了，剩下的只有断壁残垣。所有的学校被毁。什么都没有了，没有椅子，没有桌子，没有课本。
那时联合国来了。事实上，联合国不仅为我们提供了食物、水和住所，还提供了安全保障。
他们是我们的生命线，是我们希望的灯塔。
当时仅仅看到联合国的蓝色旗帜，我们就觉得是一种保护，是我们的保护者与求助者。
那时我学习到，在彻底的绝望和对更好未来的希望之间，团结可以带来不同。
这就是为什么我决定把自己的一生投入到公共服务中。
我能为我的国家、我的团队做什么。
这就是我为什么在这里，作为联合国秘书长，要求你们成为联合国一项为期15年的严肃的伙伴关系的一部分。
《2030议程》将在2030年结束，所以从今年开始算起，还有15年。所以我希望和你们，和所有的商界领袖和公民社会领袖，开展一段15年的稳固的合作关系。
我知道你们每一个人都可以帮助世界使这个雄心勃勃的可持续发展目标成为现实。
百人会是一个由关心社会转型的强大的众多个人组成的联盟。
你们已经证明了你们为华人社会带来变化的巨大能力。
现在，你们有一个清晰的政治信号和框架，能让你们的行动与全球利益相结合。
现在，你们有机会在可持续发展目标的背景下加强和规划你们的贡献，帮助我们创造历史。
我们需要建立一个包容性的全球伙伴关系，相互问责和公平分担责任。
我们必须结合并充分利用我们的比较优势和资源，以取得有意义的成果。
在这方面，我想称赞一下中国政府于今年3月通过的新法律，采取措施为中国国内的公益慈善事业创造一个有利环境。
我也感谢在场的诸位，你们的贡献、倡导和范例，帮助为一个可持续发展的新时代播下了种子。
女士们，先生们，
我衷心希望，中国与联合国之间的持久合作伙伴关系能够在未来的岁月中更加坚固，帮助我们实现可持续发展目标的全部承诺。
让我们为所有人拥有充满尊严和机遇的生活共同努力。
让我们为全世界人民创造对美好未来的强烈希望。
感谢你们有力的参与和承诺。
感谢大家，
Xie xie.
