On Oct. 16, the inauguration ceremony and the first meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) were held in Hague of Netherlands. The events were presided over by Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Madame Cora van Nieuwenhuizen. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke at the inauguration ceremony. Minister Li Ganjie delivered inauguration remarks on behalf of the Chinese delegation and had discussions with the commission members on the future development of the Commission and the flagship report to be released in 2019.

The Chinese Government has attached great importance to climate change, given equal weight to mitigation and adaptation, and incorporated adaptation into the national climate change strategy and the mid-term and long-term plans for national economic and social development, said Minister Li at the inauguration ceremony. The Chinese side appreciated what the Netherlandish Government and other stakeholders concerned had done for the establishment of the Commission. China is ready to work with other members to help the Commission contribute climate change solutions to the international community and assist in its implementation of the Paris Agreement. Also, China called on the international community to highly value the climate change issue, provide funds, technologies, and capacity building for the adaptation of developing countries, and help them enhance adaptation capacity and efficacy.

At the first meeting of the Commission, Li expounded on China’s positions on climate change, shared China’s adaptation situations and measures, and put forward the following three recommendations on the development of the Commission: a. highlight adaptation in the international cooperation on climate change, and catalyze large-scale and change-making adaptation actions and partnership; b. advance the global exchange and replication of the adaptation experience and technologies through international cooperation; c. push the international community to give more support to the adaptation in developing countries and meet their adaptation needs.

Afterwards, Minister Li and Madame Nieuwenhuizen had bilateral talks. The two sides reviewed the bilateral cooperation on climate change and environmental protection, and agreed on furthering the cooperation on climate change adaptation, water management, circular economy, smart mobility, and green mobility.

The Commission was proposed by Netherlands and supported by 17 founding countries (including Netherlands) and 28 high-prestige members who have global reputations and influences. The mandate of the Commission is to put forward prospective visions on climate change adaptation, and urge the international community to act hard on adaptation and strengthen partnership, so as to help the climate vulnerable countries to enhance resilience and achieve sustainable development goals.