Participants are seen at the opening ceremony of the first Global Economic Development and Security Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 19, 2021. With the theme of economic security and sustainable development in a world of great change, the three-day forum aims to provide a high-end platform for promoting dialogue between political and business leaders from around the world. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
CHANGSHA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Over 2,600 government officials, merchants and scholars worldwide Tuesday attended a forum in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, discussing economic development and security.
The guests at the 1st Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Global Economic Development And Security Forum focused on risks and non-traditional security challenges in economic development and how to foster a secure and stable environment for sustainable development in Asia and the rest of the world.
Zhou Xiaochuan, vice chairman of the BFA, said facing non-traditional security threats, including COVID-19, frequent extreme weather, and biodiversity losses, all countries realized that no one can be immune to them and international cooperation is the only way out.
Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations secretary-general, pointed out that action, solidarity, and multilateralism echo loud and clear in Asia. He said Chinese leaders reiterated the need for strengthened international cooperation, policy coordination, and global governance in pursuing a shared, secure, and sustainable future for humanity.
More than 20 sub-forums on economic security, carbon neutrality, cyber security and governance, and other topics are taking place from Monday to Wednesday. Enditem
