Under the guidance of the National Rural Revitalization Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the third SCO National Poverty Reduction and Development Seminar was launched at Southwest University in Chongqing. 

"Eliminating poverty has always been a major task for governing a country and ensuring national security. It is a common ideal and value pursuit of all humankind," said Li Mingquan. 

He added that Belarus and Kyrgyzstan are important countries along the Belt and Road and comprehensive strategic partners of China. Chongqing has a long history of communication with both countries, and the exchange and cooperation in various fields have been continuously deepening and developing. This seminar is a practical measure taken by Chongqing to continuously deepen friendly cooperation with both countries within the framework of the SCO. 

It is hoped that the experience accumulated through Chongqing's practice can provide a useful reference for the rural revitalization and economic and social development of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan and that the participants can further deepen mutual understanding and friendship through this learning and exchange, achieve joint development, and benefit the people of both sides.

Dmitry Yemelyanov, Belarus' Consul General in Chongqing. (Photo/The Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

"Eliminating poverty remains the greatest global challenge facing the world today," Dmitry Yemelyanov said in his online speech, noting that China has made significant achievements in poverty alleviation and has also made significant contributions to global poverty reduction. China's valuable experience can provide a useful reference for other developing countries. Belarus attaches great importance to social support issues and believes that this seminar will help Belarus address issues such as people's livelihood and welfare in its social development.

"Kyrgyzstan is now in the most important stage of national development, and poverty reduction and development are of great significance to us," said Karabayeva in her online speech. She noted that the Labor Solutions and Development Department of the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan has always been paying close attention to poverty reduction and development issues and hopes to learn more about China's advanced experience and methodology through this seminar.

Wang Zhijian introduced that this seminar is another example of cooperation and exchange with SCO member states following the successful holding of two "SCO Poverty Reduction and Development Seminars in Chongqing" in June 2022 and January 2023. This seminar included special lectures, case studies, and discussions that combined China's practices and experiences in eliminating absolute poverty and promoting rural revitalization with representatives from the Department of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of Belarus and the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan. The 10-day online study and discussion explored ways and measures to improve poverty alleviation and rural modernization development, enhanced poverty reduction capabilities, and sustainable development momentum.

The seminar was hosted by the Chongqing Rural Revitalization Bureau and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government. Karabayeva, Director of the Labor Solutions and Development Department of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, and Dmitry Yemelyanov, Belarus' Consul General in Chongqing, attended the seminar. The opening ceremony was attended by Li Mingquan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, Wang Shijie, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Rural Revitalization Bureau, and Wang Zhijian, Vice President of Southwest University.

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government