ISLAMABAD: As the China-Africa Cooperation Summit 2024 approached, the Belt and Road Initiative Green Coalition (BRIGC) arranged a session, ‘Sino-African cooperation on green and low-carbon development: new initiatives and EVs’.

According to a statement, speakers and experts from Africa highlighted the importance of Chinese investment, especially in green sectors. They urged China to invest more in green infrastructure and industrial development.

Africa desperately needs investment and development assistance.

It was pointed out by some studies that Africa is looking to bridge the infrastructure investment gap, which is around $100 billion annually.

Africa considers BRI to be an opportunity to bridge this gap. Moreover, they rely on China as a trusted friend.

It is not rhetoric; it is based on the data and facts. For example, from 2000 to 2022, Chinese institutions extended $134.1 billion as loans and development assistance to African countries.

The participants were of the view that the China-Africa Cooperation Summit 2024 and Sino-African cooperation on green and low-carbon development indicate that China is committed to the development of less developed countries and the welfare of common people without any distinction or strings of conditionalities, such as so-called democracy or human rights.

Executive Director Green BRI Coalition Dr Zhang Jianyu elaborated on the objectives of the dialogue.

He also explained what China was doing and how it was promoting green development through BRI.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024