Honourable Minister Natalia Plugaru,

Ms. Daniela Gasparikova,

Ms. Tatiana Ghidirimschi,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear colleagues and friends,

Through the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, the Moldova Disability Inclusion Project is hereby officially launched. On behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of China, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of the Republic of Moldova, and The Republican Experimental Centre for Prosthetics, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation (CREPOR), as well as the other partners for their contribution in preparation of this project.

This project represents a concrete step towards advancing the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the General Debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021. In just five years, the GDI has turned from a Chinese proposal into a global consensus, and from a statement of goals into concrete actions in support of the SDGs. With more than 2,000 cooperation projects under the initiative, the GDI has taken root and yielded outcomes in more than 120 countries, writing a new chapter of common development and win-win cooperation.

Supported by US$2.5 million from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, this project will help improve access to medical treatment, rehabilitation services and assistive devices for persons with disabilities in Moldova. It is yet another endeavor by the Chinese Government to put the GDI into practice, and one that will bring tangible benefits to the Moldovan people.

Over the years, the Chinese Government has made sustained efforts to improve the well-being of the 85 million persons with disabilities in China, by strengthening social security and public service systems, promoting technological innovation, and expanding access to rehabilitation and assistive services. By now, we have developed a service system that covers multiple disciplines, meets the needs of all categories of persons with disabilities, and attaches equal importance to both prevention and rehabilitation.

China stands ready to share its experience and expertise with Moldova through this project, which includes not only technical exchanges and training programs, but also provision of new equipment and modern assistive devices, an open-source digital case-management system, and an innovation lab involving universities. We hope these efforts will bring tangible benefits to Moldova's 160,000 persons with disabilities and help them lead more independent, dignified and fulfilling lives.

This project marks the first tripartite cooperation undertaken by the Chinese Government, the Moldovan Government and UNDP. As the largest development agency within the United Nations system, UNDP brings valuable professional expertise and extensive operational networks to development cooperation. China stands ready to work closely with UNDP in the implementation of this project, with full respect for Moldova’s sovereignty and ownership. We believe that the project should adopt a needs-based approach and develop a roadmap based on system-wide assessment of existing medical and rehabilitation services and assistive devices, in order to respond effectively to the actual needs of persons with disabilities. By leveraging complementary strengths and creating synergies, and with effective tracking, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, this project will become a model of Tripartite Cooperation.

Last month, the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted by consensus the draft resolution sponsored by China on behalf of 47 countries, entitled “promoting accessibility for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all” . The draft resolution reflects the international community's shared commitment to promoting accessibility and ensuring the equal enjoyment of all human rights by all.

Against this backdrop, we hope the project will adhere to People-Centered and Results-Oriented principles, and remain firmly focused on promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, so as to enable them to participate fully and equally in social life and share in the benefits of development. I hope this will also be conducive to Moldova’s efforts in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with no one left behind.

Finally, I wish the project every success in its implementation!

Thank you.