Since the end of 2023, key meetings and documents such as the Central Economic Work Conference, the Central Political Bureau Meeting, and the Government Work Report have repeatedly emphasized the need to enhance the consistency of macroeconomic policy orientation. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly proposed the necessity of improving the macroeconomic regulation and control system, advancing reforms in critical areas such as fiscal and financial sectors in a coordinated manner, and strengthening the coherence of macroeconomic policy orientation.

On October 8, 2024, the State Council conducted its 10th thematic study session under the theme of Enhancing the Consistency of Macroeconomic Policy Orientation and Strengthening Policy Coordination to Improve Implementation Effectiveness. Premier Li Qiang pointed out that the complexity of macroeconomic governance has significantly increased, necessitating a systematic approach in thinking, methodology, and measures to optimize the allocation and combination of policy resources and tools, thereby maximizing policy effectiveness. He emphasized that all departments and regions must enhance their awareness and capacity for policy coherence, proactively strengthen policy coordination and collaboration, and ensure that various policies are interconnected and organically unified, collectively fostering sustained and healthy economic and social development.

On September 5, 2024, the Council of Europe opened the world’s first legally binding global treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) for signature. Formally known as the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225), the treaty marks a pivotal moment in global AI regulation. Adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on May 17, 2024, the treaty establishes a comprehensive legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of AI systems, from design and development to deployment and decommissioning. It addresses potential risks while promoting responsible innovation, using a technology-neutral approach designed to adapt as AI evolves.

The treaty aligns with the principles outlined in the EU AI Act and other EU regulations, incorporating fundamental elements such as: A focus on human-centric AI, consistent with human rights, democracy, and rule of law; a risk-based approach; key principles for trustworthy AI (e.g. transparency, robustness, safety, data governance and protection); transparency for AI-generated content and in interactions with AI systems; strengthened documentation, accountability and remedies; support to safe innovation through regulatory sandboxes; risk management obligations; documentation obligations; oversight mechanisms for supervision of AI activities.

Governments are setting their national biodiversity targets and revising their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. Currently, 196 countries and regions have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is the international legal instrument for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources” Governments are also investing more in biodiversity and multilateral banks are exploring new ways to fund nature-based projects. However, the repurposing of subsidies harmful to biodiversity remains largely unaddressed.

At the organizational level, with initiatives like Business For Nature’s “It’s Now for Nature”campaign and the TNFD Early Adopters program, businesses are stepping up their efforts to protect biodiversity. Another example of businesses leading the way on policy coherence is the Global Tuna Alliance. This alliance of independent coalitions of retailers and supply chain companies works closely with regional fisheries management organizations to ensure that their tuna meets the highest standards of environmental performance and social responsibility.

In 2015, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism was officially established as a joint initiative by China and the five Mekong River countries — Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The LMC aims to enhance political trust, foster economic collaboration, and strengthen cultural exchanges to drive sub-regional shared development and prosperity. The mechanism focuses on three core pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and sustainable development, and social and cultural exchanges. It prioritizes five key areas, including connectivity, production capacity cooperation, and others. It adheres to the principles of pragmatism, openness, and gradual progress to build a mutually beneficial regional community with a shared future.

Over the past years, the LMC has built up its institutional structures significantly, establishing annual foreign ministers’ meetings,  high-level government meetings and trainings, a secretariat, a Beijing-based Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center and a Global Center for Mekong Studies linking think tanks across the region.

On August 8, 2024, the 11th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Senior Officials’ Meeting was held via video link. The meeting was co-chaired by Senior Official and Vice Foreign Minister of China Sun Weidong and Senior Official of Thailand Rujikorn Saengchantr, as the co-chair countries, with senior officials from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam in attendance. China is ready to deepen solidarity and cooperation with Mekong countries, jointly promote regional connectivity and green and innovative development, jointly address non-traditional security challenges, and accelerate the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future.

From December 7 to 8, 2024, the China Racetrack and ESG Sustainable Development Conference, with theme of Invest in Guangming, Co-Create the Future, was successfully held at the Cloud Park International Conference Center in Guangming District, Shenzhen. The two-day event featured a diverse lineup, including the ESG Sustainable Development Conference, site visits in Guangming District, an AI-themed sub-forum, listed company roadshows, and the Easy Board ESG Value Rating Awards Ceremony. The conference aimed to foster collaboration, gather industry expertise, inspire innovation, and explore new ESG-driven sustainable development models.

A major highlight of the event was the formal establishment of the ESG Value Alliance. The alliance is committed to advancing sustainable development by promoting knowledge exchange, enhancing capacities, and driving the development of ESG standards and the improvement of evaluation frameworks. It seeks to strengthen project collaboration and resource sharing, reinforce corporate social responsibility and brand image, and support high-quality development for listed companies. These initiatives aim to achieve a dual leap in economic and social value creation, propelling global economy toward sustainable and inclusive growth.