Photo:xinhua

Nairobi (People's Daily) - The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) will assist China's partner countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a United Nations official said on December 3.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road initiative and the SDGs are complimentary, said Jamil Ahmad, head of intergovernmental affairs at the UN Environment Program (UNEP).

"The Belt and Road initiative provides a good example on how to begin implementation work for the SDGs whose aim is to improve the lives of all citizens of the world," said Ahmad during a forum on greening China's BRI, which is part of the UN Science Policy Business Forum on the Environment.

The initiative aims to build a trade, investment and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

"The SDGs are exactly talking about the types of development that have been identified in the projects of the Belt and Road Initiative," Ahmad said.

Ahmad noted that both BRI and SDGs focus on five pillars which will improve the life quality of global citizens.

The UNEP's role will be to ensure that environmental sustainability is incorporated into all aspects of the projects and programs, Ahmad added.

UNEP has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government to provide expertise on green economy and financing for sustainable development for projects on BRI.