Upcoming two sessions to underscore China’s most important political event returning to normal following COVID adjustment: experts

By Chen Qingqing

The list of the members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was unveiled with a new sector - the environment and resources sector - added, which some experts said has great significance as environmental protection constitutes a fundamental part in pursuing Chinese modernization. 
Meanwhile, with the adjustment and optimization of the country's epidemic prevention and control measures, this year's "two sessions," one of the most important annual political events, is expected to return to normal, experts said. 
There are 2,172 members from 34 sectors, with 85 from the newly established environment and resources sector, media reported on Wednesday. 
The first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC will start on March 4 and the 14th National People's Congress will kick off its first session on March 5, the country's top legislature announced on December 30.  
In line with the guidelines of enhancing and improving the work of the CPPCC issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC has been pushing forward the establishment of the environment and resources sector.
In recent years, some regional committees of the CPPCC began adding this new sector and regional committees across the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have added the new sector, called the environment and resources or resources and the environment. 
"No matter whether it's about the comprehensive economic and social development or Chinese modernization, environmental and resource protection, as an important part of the Five-Pronged Overall Approach since the 18th National Congress, conveys great significance," Zhu Lijia, a professor of public management at the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 
To pursue Chinese modernization, environmental protection and construction is fundamental, and setting up this new sector could help policy makers and advisors play bigger roles in formulating environment-related policies and measures, Zhu said. 
Li Zhenhan, a member of the regional committee of the CPPCC in East China's Shandong Province, was quoted as saying in media reports on Wednesday that setting up this new sector could help allocate resources and bring members with various backgrounds in the environment, resources and energy who used to work in different sectors together. 
Environmental protection will continue being a major focus of the work of the CPC in the future. In a report delivered by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping to the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October 2022, Xi pointed out that we will advance the Beautiful China Initiative and take a holistic and systematic approach to the conservation and improvement of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands and deserts. 
"We will carry out coordinated industrial restructuring, pollution control, ecological conservation and climate response, and promote concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth, he said. We will prioritize environmental protection, conserve resources and use them efficiently, and pursue green and low-carbon development," Xi said. 
This year's two sessions will also be the first annual gatherings for the country's two main political bodies to set priorities and plans involving the economy, military, trade, diplomacy and the environment for the next year since the country downgraded its COVID-19 management. 
Some experts believed that as the country's social and economic activities have been brought gradually back to normal following the adjustment and optimization of the epidemic prevention and control measures, the country's most important annual political activities are also expected to go to back to normal. 
Some experts considered that the economic recovery and China's population decline would be major focuses of this year's two sessions, especially when many observers and analysts remain bullish on China's economic prospects. Also, the Chinese mainland's population declined for the first time in 61 years, which attracted the world's attention. 
Among 2,172 members, there are 124 from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and 29 from the Macao SAR. Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, a Hong Kong Legislative Council member who is also the member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC from the HKSAR, told the Global Times that he will focus on proposals such as legal services exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, high-tech development and energy-saving and environmental protection during this year's meetings. 
"This year's two sessions will mainly focus on the economic recovery, including how to accelerate the production resumption and push forward high-quality growth," Zhu said. In terms of the declining population, Zhu said that it's a common question that many developed countries and developing countries face after economic and social development reaches a certain level. 
"How to turn China's demographic dividend into a talent dividend will also be a major focus of this year's meetings," he said.

Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202301/1284039.shtml

The Interdepartmental Working Group on the development of the National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy held the first session.

The meeting, held in an online format, was attended by the heads of key ministries: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Construction and Architecture, as well as representatives of the oil and gas complex and other relevant organizations.

The main goal of cooperation of Turkmen specialists with foreign partners in this field is the fact that the world community recognizes the real benefits of environmentally friendly, renewable energy, which can be used as a supplement or alternative to the widely used fossil fuels today - coal, oil, gas, global, the resources of which are limited, and therefore expensive.

Specifying a number of priorities for the foreseeable future, the members of the Working Group emphasized the importance of the initiatives put forward by the President of Turkmenistan in the field of environmental protection.

Those speaking during the meeting called for building up wide cooperation with foreign partners and reputable international organizations and structures in the development of the National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy in Turkmenistan.

The state news agency of Turkmenistan

EU’s largest agriculture and rural development programme in Georgia discusses youth migration and addressing climate change

On 10 June, stakeholders and implementing partners of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) in Georgia gathered to discuss the establishment of a network of demonstration plots and a working group on climate smart agriculture.

The meeting aimed to share updates with the EU-supported agricultural and rural development projects on youth migration in rural areas of the country and the challenges that agriculture faces due to climate change.

The ENPARD partners discussed the prevention of youth migration to cities in Georgia and agreed to dedicate more efforts to fight against youth migration. They also agreed on the need to intensify the work on climate-smart agriculture at different levels as a means to reduce the impact of climate change in Georgia.

The EU supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of €179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty.

On the 7^th of May 2019, during the work of Organizational session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Turkmenistan was elected to its three important bodies: Executive Council of the World Food Programme for the period of 2020-2022, Commission on Population and Development for the period of 2020-2024 and Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the period of 2020-2023.   

The election of our country to these structures became one more proof of growing reputation of Turkmenistan in the world, recognition of its major role in the resolution of most contemporary issues of present day global development.    

A significant vector of international activity of Turkmenistan is the provision of food safety and nutritional development on the national, regional and world-wide levels.  In this regard, our country proposed an initiative to gather the High-Level Food Forum under the auspices of the UN.  The meaning of the proposed initiative is based on the notion that such Forum will give effective impulse to the international partnership in the area of global nutrition and thus will assist attaining concrete future resolutions on the UN level in this direction. 

As to the contribution of Turkmenistan in the resolution of population related issues, it is worthwhile to note the implementation in the country of various important programs in the area of reproductive health, countrywide and regional projects aimed at provision of most convenient conditions for applying the demographic policy, protection of mother and child.   

Turkmenistan will continue uncompromised struggle against the narcotics.  Practical actions are realized in our country aimed at combatting illegal drug trafficking and in this regard national programs are successfully implemented.  The membership of Turkmenistan in the Commission on Narcotic Drugs opens new perspectives for cooperation for efficient response to this global challenge.       

The election of Turkmenistan to these three important bodies of the United Nations Economic and Social Council serves as a vivid proof of rightness  and rationality of the course selected by our country aimed at wide international cooperation in the resolution of actual problems of modern world, suitability of our policy with the security protection, progress and sustainable development.

On March 21 at 14:00, signing ceremony was held between Anaklia Development Consortium and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. Levan Akhvlediani, General Director of Anaklia Development Consortium and Jung Hao Yo, Vice President of Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation.

The largest Korean company, Anaklia Development Consortium, has identified the modern tailor's service as an international tender and will install giant cranes for the Anaklia deep-powered port, the shipbuilding company HSHI in the world's top five.

Business consultants in Georgia have until 24 September to apply for a four-day EU4Business training course on ‘Change Management for Consultants’.

The course will take place in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi over two modules, on 27–28 September and 8–9 November. It will provide consultants with the tools, methodologies and processes to deliver high-quality projects on time, within budget and with minimal risk.

The course is aimed at experienced consultants with at least five years’ experience in the field of management consulting (in areas such as IT, implementation of production systems, strategic management, human resources, etc.).

Participants will learn change management skills to meet the demands of complex clients with large-scale projects.

More information on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here. (http://eu4business.eu/events/change-management-training-business-consultants-tbilisi)

This training course is part of the ‘Advice for small businesses’ programme implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and supported by the EU under the EU4Business initiative.

Generating project ideas, devising projects and teamwork were the major topics of a recent EU-supported youth summer camp, organised by the Akhalkalaki Local Action Group in the Kakheti region of Georgia.

During the summer camp, participants had the opportunity to raise awareness about the history of the region, visit cultural, historical and recreation sites, and receive information about the academic programmes of local educational institutions. Moreover, the young people learned traditional local crafts, such as the art of patterning and creating Georgian tablecloths and local cuisine.

The camp’s main topics were regional development and tourism, in which Kakheti region has great potential.  

The event was held within the framework of the EU-supported project “Promoting a New Rural Development Approach in Akhalkalaki”, which is supported in the framework of European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through the ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in the country.

Last week, representatives of the Georgian government and Kazbegi Local Action Group (LAG) gathered in the town of Stepantsminda to discuss rural development priorities for the region and the way forward.

The main topics of the meeting referred to the state programmes and initiatives designed to promote rural development through the diversification of local economies, improvement of social and public services, increasing of employment and sustainable use of natural resources.

The event in Stepantsminda was the second in a series of public discussions in the regions. Organised by the country’s Environment Protection and Agriculture Ministry, the event was supported by the EU in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and People in Need (PiN) mission in Georgia.

Kazbegi LAG was established with the support of the EU in the framework of the rural development project implemented by PiN Georgia within the second phase of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). It is one of eight LAGs created with EU support in several municipalities in Georgia.

02.04.2018 Up to 1,150 advisory projects with local small and medium-sizes enterprises (SMEs) were implemented by the Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) since the launch of the program in 2003, in Georgia. Around half of the projects were carried out outside the capital city, and about 1/5 of the enterprises were led and/or managed by female entrepreneurs.

The EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses team connects Georgian SMEs with local consultants and international advisers to transform a huge range of businesses from industries, such as food and beverages, wholesale and retail distribution, construction and engineering.

SMEs enrolled in the programme benefit from know-how and customised advice that enhance business competitiveness and foster adaption to the new business environments.  The programme has a special focus to help SMEs meet new food safety and hygiene standards, while improving the export potential to enable them fully enjoy the free trade area with the European Union – the world’s largest trading block.

“Access to knowledge and expertise is one of the preconditions for the businesses to be effective and successful not only in Georgia, but around the world. We work with wide range of enterprises to support their efforts of aligning with European standards, putting efficient systems in place and fostering innovation and competitiveness,” says Severian Gvinepadze, Principal Manager of EBRD SME Finance and Development Group.

Currently, the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses activities in Georgia are supported by the European Union (grant funding) under its EU4Business Initiative, the Early Transition Countries Fund**, Sweden and the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund.

"Congratulations to our partner EBRD for 15 years of valuable work on small business advice! Thanks to the work of the team, we were able to support Georgian SMEs in their ambitions of increasing competiveness, establishing stronger economic ties with the EU, and running truly efficient and modern businesses. The EBRD is a key partner for European Union’s EU4Business initiative, an umbrella initiative that covers all EU activities supporting SMEs in the Eastern Partnership countries” says Vincent Rey, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

“My company Madam Wine has been supported with advisory services in marketing. With help from a local consultant, I set up a new website through which I was able to attract more clients from abroad and signed a three year contract to export my product to Azerbaijan- 50,000 bottles annually. ” says Manana Akhvlediani, Madam Wine CEO.

*Since the start, the programme has been funded by the European Union, the EBRD Early Transition Countries Fund, the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund, Canada, Sweden and the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund.

**Donors to Early Transition Countries Fund are Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China and the United Kingdom.

About EBRD

The EBRD was established in 1991 to meet the challenge of an extraordinary moment in Europe’s history, the collapse of communism in its East. The EBRD is the largest single investor in its existing region. With its Headquarters in London and with a capital base of €30 billion and a AAA rating from all three main rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch), the Bank’s investments also mobilise significant foreign direct investment into its countries of operations. It invests mainly in private enterprises, usually together with commercial partners. It provides project financing for the financial sector and the real economy, both new ventures and investments in existing companies. It also works with publicly-owned companies to support privatisation, the restructuring of state-owned firms and improvement of municipal services.

The EBRD is owned by 66 countries, from five continents, including China, including two intergovernmental institutions (the European Union and the European Investment Bank). It maintains a close political dialogue with governments, authorities and representatives of civil society to promote its goals. It also works in cooperation with international organisations such as the OECD, the IMF, the World Bank and UN specialised agencies.

The EBRD operates in 38 economies from central Europe to central Asia and southern and eastern Mediterranean and has over 40 local offices.

The five-month Employment Shuttle programme, implemented in the framework of the EU-supported project in the Tetritskaro municipality of Georgia, has presented its first results. Through the programme, eight of the twenty beneficiaries have been employed, while the others are continuing their job search.  

The programme was implemented as part of the second phase of the EU-funded European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) in Georgia.

When sharing their impressions, the participants mentioned that taking part in the Employment Shuttle was a step forward for them. “The programme helped me to find myself and start a new job,” said Tinatin Donadze, one of the participants. “Besides gaining knowledge and experience, I became more active, self-confident and realised what I want to do in life.”

20 jobseekers from Tetritskaro municipality participated in different activities through the programme, from individual sessions led by the programme mentor to group sessions on CV and cover letter writing, presentation skills, emotion and conflict management, entrepreneurship and community project writing. As a result, the participants developed the necessary skills to increase their employability.

According to the ENPARD press release, there will be five more phases of the Employment Shuttle programme in the Tetritskaro municipality. The call for participants interested in taking part in the second phase is open until 20 April.