Zhang Xiao Qiang Meets with Executive Director of Earth Institute, Columbia University

Zhang Xiao Qiang Meets with Executive Director of Earth Institute, Columbia University

On October 17, 2014, Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang, Permanent Vice Chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), met with Prof. Steven Cohen, Executive Director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute. They exchanged views on the joint research project of Sustainability Performance Indicators, undertaken by researchers from the two organizations. Apart from that, they also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the research project. Also at the meeting were Mr. Xu Chaoyou, Director-General of the Department of External Affairs and Mr. Wang Jun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consulting Research of CCIEE, and Dr. Joan Kaufman, Director of the Beijing Center of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

Zhang Xiaoqiang said that China economic development is now in the key stage of transformation and upgrading and governments at different levels have attached more importance to sustainable development. The assessment of sustainable development is vital for keeping China’s economy healthy and sustainable in the future. CCIEE is committed to build itself as well-respected think tank with significant international influence. CCIEE Chairman Zeng Peiyan highly values the long-term partnership between CCIEE and Columbia University and hopes to further deepen cooperation between CCIEE and international think tanks and institutions. Apart from that, he hopes that the research teams from both sides will be able to make significant progress in the joint research of sustainable development, and design practical evaluation criterion, which can be used to guide global sustainable development.      

Mr. Cohen thanked CCIEE for its support and cooperation and spoke highly of the efforts and research findings made by CCIEE research team. He hopes that the two sides will continue to work on the framework of sustainable performance indexes and produce criterion to guide global sustainable development.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides shared their thoughts on research methodology, the possible application of final research findings and other issues.