From 8–11 September, the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) participated in the Second International Civil Society Solidarity Conference on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China 🇨🇳.
The conference was co-ordinated by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It convened more than 400 representatives of civil society organisations from around the world to explore how cultural exchange and cooperation can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Louis Cheicks Sissoko, Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, delivered a keynote address on the importance of advancing global development through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Dr. Raj Chintaram, CSO Engagement Officer at ECOSOCC, contributed as a panellist in a roundtable on culture and development, underscoring the Council’s role in promoting inclusive dialogue and partnerships.
From 12–14 September, the ECOSOCC delegation also took part in a cultural exchange program in Anyang, hosted by the Commission Office of Foreign Affairs of the CPC Anyang Municipal Committee. The program included visits to the Yinxu Museum and the National Museum of Chinese Writing, a keynote speech by Mr. Sissoko at the “A Bond Connecting Cultures” event, and a seminar at the Hongqiqu Executive Leadership Academy.
These engagements provided a valuable opportunity for ECOSOCC to:
- Share African perspectives on the role of culture in sustainable development.
- Build stronger working relationships with Chinese civil society organisations and local authorities.
- Explore pathways for future cooperation in cultural tourism, exhibitions and youth exchange.
Through its participation, ECOSOCC reinforced its commitment to cross-cultural partnerships as a vital driver of the Global Development Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
