UNICEF expands cooperation with China on health services and digital education for children worldwide

Beijing, 15 July 2024 – United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban led a series of engagements recently to build UNICEF’s cooperation with partners in China, with a focus on providing children in humanitarian situations and other developing countries with high-quality services and supplies. 

On 9 July, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education signed a memorandum of understanding for China to become a Champion Country in the Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative. Gateways is a global initiative, collaboratively managed by UNICEF and UNESCO, to work with governments and partners on establishing digital education as a public good through high quality, inclusive national digital learning platforms and content. Additionally, it aims to promote knowledge exchange among countries. As a Champion Country of Gateways, China will provide technical and financial support to the initiative. 

Speaking at the signing event, Mr. Chaiban said, “China’s commitment to this global initiative is commendable and valued,” adding, “China’s advancements in digital education and its technical expertise position it well to harness the power of technology and address global learning challenges”. 

“We're very happy that building on the existing solid cooperation, China and UNICEF join hands on the Gateways initiative that aims to benefit every child and young person in the globe, with China being a Champion Country,” said Mr. Chen Jie, Vice Minister of Education of China, “We are starting new cooperation facing towards the future.”

On 15 July, Mr. Chaiban signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of UNICEF with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). Under the agreement, both parties will leverage their resources to strengthen the primary health care system in Africa, especially at the community level. Further, under the agreement, UNICEF, China CDC and Africa CDC – a health agency of the African Union – will collaborate to improve the surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases in African countries, as well the evaluation and validation of public health products and services. 

Director General of China CDC Dr. Shen Hongbing highlighted the significance of the agreement and commended the collaboration between UNICEF and China CDC. He also expressed expectations for a strengthened partnership in global health to support Africa CDC and further build capacity in public health in African countries.

“This agreement is an exciting opportunity to bring improved health services to more children in African countries, through the power of collaboration,” said UNICEF’s Mr. Chaiban.

In addition to signing the agreements, Ted Chaiban gave remarks at high level engagements with partners in China. Speaking at the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development on 12 July, hosted by the China International Development Agency (CIDCA), Mr. Chaiban spoke of the impact of climate change on children in humanitarian contexts, as well as the path forward for green development.