Events

[2020-09-25] Boao Forum Inauguration of the BFA Secretariat Haikou Office

By 2020년 9월 28일 No Comments
Source: Boao Forum for Asia

On September 25th, Chairman Ban Ki-moon was invited to speak at the Boao Forum, where the secretariat Haikou Office was inaugurated in Haikou, capital of South China’s province on Friday.

Chairman Ban Ki-moon started his speech congratulating Boao’s coming 20th anniversary. “The timing and venue could not have been better. The Boao Forum will come of age in just a few months’ time. For a man, 20 years is a turning point in life from adolescence to adulthood. For an institution, 20 years marks a short time span but with equal significance.” He stated

He continued his speech, talking in recognition of the Hainan province. “We open the Secretariat’s Haikou Office to recognize the valuable contributions of the Hainan Province in the past 20 years. This office reaffirms and reinforces our commitment to the development and prosperity of the province and its people” He stated.

In addition, he gave special thanks to the host. “Let’s not forget our gracious host. China, the host country, has been kind and hospitable in not only logistic support, but also political commitment. Each and every annual conference was honored by the presence of Chinese top leaders. President Xi himself opened the conference four times.” He thanked.

For his concluding message, he gave a wishful statement. “What Hainan is doing and plans to do will draw attention from Asia and the world. At the forefront of a new round of reform and opening, Hainan will serve as China’s window to the world. Though thousands of miles away, I can feel the excitement and enthusiasm of the province and its people. The Boao Forum will join you and do its own bit in this great endeavor.” He stated.

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Below is the full script of Chairman Ban Ki-moon’s speech

 

(Provincial Leader, Hainan),

Ambassadors,

Members of the Boao Family,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the Opening of the BFA Secretariat Haikou Office. Were it not for the Pandemic, I would be more than pleased to join you in person at this gathering. Thanks to the good work done by our host country – China in containing the virus, you are now free to travel within the country. I hope that within the next few months, the pandemic could be brought under control globally so that we could meet again for our next Annual Conference in Boao as usual. Then and there, we shall celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Today, we’re gathered here to witness a meaningful event in the Forum’s 20-year history – the inauguration of its first permanent office outside the Headquarter. We’re honored by the presence of leaders from our host province – Hainan, diplomatic envoys from our initial countries, members and partners of the Boao Family and friends from the media. For me, such occasions are always reminiscent of family reunions, with smiles and happiness overflowing in familiar faces. Nice to have you all here today.

The timing and venue could not have been better. The Boao Forum will come of age in just a few months’ time. For a man, 20 years is a turning point in life from adolescence to adulthood. For an institution, 20 years marks a short time span but with equal significance. 20 years ago, Asia was struggling in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis. Countries fell prey to financial shocks and economic hardships one after another. The Forum’s founding fathers, President Ramos, Prime Minister Hawke and Prime Minister Hosokawa, sensed the urgency of getting Asian countries united in face of crises. The idea of a “forum for Asia” was conceived as the first step towards that goal. 26 countries, mostly from Asia, responded warmly to the initiative. China was kind enough to play host. The quiet and beautiful town of Boao, Hainan Province was chosen as the site of the Forum’s annual conference ever since.

How time flies. It has been two full decades since the Forum was inaugurated. These are 2 decades when tremendous progress has been made in Asia. Asian economies now sit on a much more sound footing, more closely bound together and more integrated with the world. Their resilience and strength has withstood tests of the Global Financial Crisis and the most recent Coronavirus. Intra-Asia trade and investment has grown to more than half of the total. Free trade agreements at regional and bilateral levels have brought Asian economies closer than ever.

Such are exactly what the Boao Forum was designed and intended for. For the last 20 years, the Boao Forum has been committed to promoting Asian development through greater levels of cooperation and integration. Each spring, the Forum’s annual conference brings together more than 2000 heads of state, government leaders, ministers, chief executives and economists. 4 days of intensive brainstorming in Boao send out clear messages on major issues in Asia, inspire ideas and solutions, and urge actions on the part of policy- and decision-makers. We’re part of the changes occurring in Asia, and we take pride in our role in helping these changes take place.

The Boao Forum itself has grown alongside its role and influence. Our initial countries have grown from 26 to 29. BFA has recruited more than 180 Fortune-500 companies and industry champions as core members and partners. Our mission has expanded from economy and trade into the five new areas of innovation, health, education, culture and media. BFA footprints have gone beyond Asia into North America and Europe.

The Boao Forum has come of age, not just in years, but in what we have achieved and our readiness for future challenges. Our readiness and confidence comes from the vision, judgement and wisdom of our Initial countries, Board of Directors, Council of Advisors, members and partners, and thousands of delegates to our conferences and events. People, ideas, the will and resolve to act are the real strength of the Boao Forum.

Let’s not forget our gracious host. China, the host country, has been kind and hospitable in not only logistic support, but also political commitment. Each and every annual conference was honored by the presence of Chinese top leaders. President Xi himself opened the conference four times. During his most recent attendance, President Xi reaffirmed China’s stance of deepening reform and opening up wider, sending a forceful message to a world plagued by de-Globalization and protectionism.

Our local host, the Hainan Province, has done tremendous work behind the scene. The Boao Forum has always been given top priority on the provincial agenda. The quality of infrastructure, from airport to highways to high-speed rail, has improved beyond recognition. The whole province is mobilized in preparation for the annual conference each spring. Without such devotion of Hainan, the Boao Forum would not have been such a memorable experience for our delegates.

We open the Secretariat’s Haikou Office to recognize the valuable contributions of the Hainan Province in the past 20 years. This office reaffirms and reinforces our commitment to the development and prosperity of the province and its people. I look forward to more productive cooperation between Hainan and the Forum as the office goes into operation.

The office is opened at a time when the whole province is in full swing for its historic opportunity – the Hainan Free Trade Port. This is a milestone step of China in deepening reform and opening up wider to the outside. What Hainan is doing and plans to do will draw attention from Asia and the world. At the forefront of a new round of reform and opening, Hainan will serve as China’s window to the world. Though thousands of miles away, I can feel the excitement and enthusiasm of the province and its people. The Boao Forum will join you and do its own bit in this great endeavor.

Please accept my best wishes for the Province of Hainan, for our host country China, for Asia, and for the shared future of the world.

Thank you.