On October 19, 2024, the 2nd China-Europe-Africa Green Energy Development Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China-EU Association, convened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. Themed "Collaborate on Green Energy and Join Hands to Address Global Climate Change", the forum brought together prominent figures and industry leaders. Liu Qibao, Vice Chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of the China-EU Association; Zhang Zhenfeng, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province and Secretary of Wenzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China; and Salaheddine Mezouar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, attended and delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister of Spain, addressed the Forum via video message.
In his speech, Liu Qibao emphasized the shared interests and vast potential for cooperation among China, Europe and Africa in the green transition. He underscored that trilateral collaboration in green energy not only contributes to tackling global climate change and achieving sustainable development but also injects stability and predictability into an increasingly uncertain world. Liu called for the three sides to unite in addressing climate challenges, pursuing green development, strengthening industrial cooperation, and expanding green energy initiatives. He also highlighted the importance of mutual benefits, maintaining an open market environment, and ensuring the stability of global energy supply and industrial chains as key steps toward meaningful contributions to global climate governance.
Zapatero, in his video address, remarked, "A China-Europe-Africa partnership can serve as a quintessential example of the 21st century, offering policy guidance and fostering the vision of a united community with a shared future for mankind. Green energy has the potential to drive economy growth, eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and promote a cooperative economic model."
Mezouar congratulated the forum's success and stressed the urgency of global challenges that demand stronger international solidarity. He referenced the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where China proposed ten partnership actions for modernization over the next three years, including initiatives for green development. Mezouar emphasized the importance of the China-Europe-Africa trilateral cooperation initiative in bridging the technological gap between developed and developing nations.
Nearly 200 industry representatives from China, Europe and Africa engaged in discussions on topics such as "Review and Outlook of China-Europe-Africa New Energy Cooperation", "Internal Forces Driving China-Europe-Africa New Energy Cooperation", "Opportunities for China-Europe-Africa Green Energy Cooperation", and "Building a China-Europe-Africa Partnership of Green Finance". Participants broadly agreed that the unprecedented opportunities for China-Europe-Africa cooperation in green energy would significantly contribute to the growth and prosperity of the global green energy industry.
