On May 30, the BRI International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC) convened its Interim General Assembly of Members in Beijing. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and Co-Chair of BRIGC, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Mr. Zhao Yingmin, newly elected President of the BRIGC Governing Board, delivered the concluding remarks. Vice Presidents of the BRIGC Governing Board Ms. Kate Hampton, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and Mr. Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Board of the Europe-Asia Center, participated online and delivered speeches.

In accordance with the agenda, Mr. Zhao Yingmin, President of the BRIGC Governing Board, reported on the outcomes of the Third Council Meeting of the BRIGC Governing Board. The Executive Member of the Governing Board presented a progress report on recent BRIGC activities to the General Assembly. In line with established procedures, the meeting approved the admission of nine new members to the Coalition: the Institute for Essential Services Reform (Indonesia), the Just Transitions Incubator (Thailand), the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (Uzbekistan), the Arab Towns Organization (Kuwait), the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), the China Communications Construction Company Limited, the Beijing Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Center, and the Technical Centre for Soil, Agricultural and Rural Ecology and Environment of MEE.

BRIGC members expressed high recognition of BRI green development and its significant contribution to global climate and environmental governance. Delegates from BRIGC members -- including Mr. Thornton, Founder of ClientEarth; Mr. Liu Jiang, Director General of the China Quality Certification Center; Mr. Wang Silian, Chairman of the Board of China Everbright Environment Group Limited; Mr. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute; Dr. Neila Akrimi, International Cooperation Advisor to the Arab Towns Organization; and Mr. Sun Liqiang, Vice President of China Communications Construction Company Limited -- shared opinions with the audience. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration with BRIGC, advancing green transition, focusing on priority areas, and promoting practical cooperation in green and low-carbon development.

The two international Vice Presidents of the Governing Board remarked that the meeting marked a new historical stage for the Coalition and expressed great anticipation for its future. Ms. Kate Hampton emphasized the urgency and importance of strengthening international cooperation to achieve a global green transition. She noted that in the context of escalating climate change, growing development imbalances, and increasing geopolitical challenges, BRIGC plays a critical role as an international cooperation platform. Mr. Erik Solheim shared global best practices in green development and expressed hope that under the leadership of the Governing Board, BRIGC would more effectively promote the sharing of green technologies and practical cooperation, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

On behalf of MEE, Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister and Co-Chair of BRIGC, extended warm congratulations to the newly elected President Zhao Yingmin and other members of the Governing Board and heartfelt thanks to all Board Members and Coalition Members for their longstanding support for BRIGC’s work. Mr. Huang Runqiu emphasized that the three major environmental crises -- climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss -- continue to exert deepening impacts on humanity. As the world’s largest developing country, China remains firmly committed to an eco-oriented, green development path. By advancing joint efforts to build a Green Silk Road, China has made important contributions to global sustainable development. The country is deeply engaged in international climate and environmental governance, has made solemn commitments to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, and is actively implementing those commitments. It has promoted the adoption of the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and launched the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. China is also playing an active role in facilitating the global green and low-carbon transition. It has built the world’s largest and most comprehensive new energy industrial chain, and is strengthening cooperation with relevant countries on technology transfer, industrial capacity, and standards harmonization -- contributing to the establishment of a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system. To further advance the high-quality development of the Green Silk Road, China has joined international partners in launching initiatives such as the Belt and Road Partnership for Green Development and the Beijing Initiative for the Belt and Road Green Development. It is also implementing the Green Silk Road Envoy Program and conducting South-South Cooperation on Climate Change under the BRI framework -- continuously enhancing the level of international green development cooperation. Mr. Huang noted that since the inaugural General Assembly of Members in May 2023, BRIGC has actively developed platforms for dialogue and exchange, policy research, capacity building, and information sharing. These efforts have played a vital role in supporting government decision-making and advancing the progress of BRI green development. MEE will earnestly implement the key instructions of President Xi Jinping on jointly building a Green Silk Road, and will continue to intensify its support for BRIGC. In this new historical phase, the Coalition must further align strategies, enhance platform functions, expand its membership, and deepen practical cooperation. These efforts will elevate the international operations of BRIGC and enable it to make even greater contributions to the development of a Green BRI.

Mr. Zhao Yingmin, President of BRIGC, stated that the Coalition will fully implement the key directives on jointly advancing the Green Silk Road. He emphasized that the next phase of work will be guided by the principles outlined in the speech by Minister Huang Runqiu -- namely, enhancing strategic alignment, strengthening the role of platforms, expanding membership, and deepening practical cooperation.

Mr. Zhao noted that 2025 marks the second year for BRIGC to operate as an international organization and is a pivotal year for reinforcing its internal development and advancing institutional frameworks. The Governing Board stands ready to work hand in hand with all BRIGC members to build four key platforms: multilateral dialogue, international think tank, capacity building, and information sharing. He affirmed the Coalition’s continued commitment to fulfilling its mission in this new era -- to develop BRIGC into an international organization that drives green and low-carbon transformation across the Global South. The Coalition aims to become a key international platform and window for cooperation in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the building of a clean, beautiful world. It will contribute BRIGC’s solutions and wisdom to the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Nearly 100 delegates from home and abroad attend the meeting online and offline, representing members of the Governing Board, BRIGC members, and BRIGC partners. Officials from relevant departments and bureaus of MEE were invited and attend the meeting in person.