I arrived in China with two forms of baggage: the official letter of credentials that began my service, and a heart filled with memories from some of the world's most challenging environments. I assumed my role on January 16, 2021, and later presented my credentials to the President of the People's Republic of China on April 14 of that year.

Now, as I look back on five remarkable years here — and three decades with the United Nations — I keep returning to a quiet belief: progress is rarely a straight line, yet it becomes possible whenever people choose to build bridges rather than walls. My UN journey started in 1997 as a junior security officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina — a profound early lesson in how societies can fracture, and how patiently they must be mended. In the years that followed, from the Balkans to the Middle East to Asia, Europe and across Africa, through roles with UN Peace Keeping, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNDP, UNFPA, and the Red Cross Movement, I learned to balance realism with hope.

China rekindled that hope in a distinct and powerful way. It has shown what can happen when a nation plans for the long term, invests steadily in its people, and cultivates innovation on a grand scale. Serving here offered me a firsthand view of how rapidly transformation can unfold when institutions, markets, and communities unite behind shared aspirations. In my exchanges with China Daily, I have spoken of the country's "exponential progress" in fields that will shape our common future—from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to quantum computing, fintech, and clean energy. When guided responsibly, innovation is about far more than economic growth; it is about widening the arsenal of tools we have to fight hunger, inequality, and climate change.

The United Nations, in this context, does not simply "deliver" development. Instead, we partner, convene, advise, pilot, and connect. As Resident Coordinator, my task has been to lead UN coordination within China, aligning with national priorities while upholding the values and principles of the UN system. Here, that has meant joining hands with ministries, provinces, academia, young people, the private sector, and civil society to turn global commitments — especially the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda — into tangible cooperation.

One of the most inspiring aspects of China's development story is how much it resonates beyond its borders. At a time when many SDG targets remain off-track globally, sharing what works is as vital as funding what's next. Throughout 2024 and 2025, as the world prepared for and advanced follow-up to the UN Summit of the Future, we held dialogues across China on everything from sustainable finance and digital cooperation to science, technology, and future generations. These were not theoretical exercises. They were grounded in the search for practical ways to connect climate action, health, and artificial intelligence; to foster more inclusive systems; and to accelerate the SDGs through genuine partnership.

These five years have also deepened my admiration for China's growing contribution to multilateral cooperation. By aligning its development efforts with the SDGs — in areas like poverty reduction, food security, and green transition — and by strengthening South?South exchanges, China is helping other nations accelerate their own progress. This reflects a broader commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to global solidarity at a time when the world faces fragmented pathways and rising uncertainty. What stands out is China's emphasis on practical, results-driven partnership and a shared conviction that global challenges are best met together.

Looking ahead, China's path and the world's needs will converge around three great transitions.

The first is the green transition. China's goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality are not only domestic milestones—they influence technology costs, supply chains, and policy options worldwide. The task ahead is to transform ambition into shared benefit, ensuring green solutions reach those who need them most.

The second is demographic change. China is navigating a profound shift in its population structure, which brings challenges but also opportunities — new services, new industries, and new models for healthy aging, often called the "silver economy". Building inclusive systems that safeguard dignity throughout life will be essential for sustained human development.

The third is digital and technological transformation. The question is no longer whether technology will reshape societies, but whether it will do so equitably and safely. China's rapid advances highlight the need for governance that keeps people at the center, ensuring AI and digital tools broaden opportunity rather than deepen divides.

If my thirty years in public service have taught me anything, it is that institutions matter — but so do individuals. In a very personal way, China reminded me of this truth. During my time here, I embarked on a health journey rooted in discipline and traditional practices, which taught me resilience and focus — qualities every public servant needs in demanding times. It strengthened a belief I often share with young people: lasting progress begins with the conviction that change is possible, and the commitment to work toward it, day by day.

As my tenure draws to a close, I carry profound gratitude: to my Chinese partners across government and society; to the dedicated UN Country Team that turns aspirations into action; and to the countless communities and innovators who remind us that development is, above all, about improving lives and expanding choices.

The United Nations was founded to help nations solve problems together. That mission is not a slogan—it is a practical necessity. China's story, in all its complexity and momentum, offers lessons worth sharing: invest for the long term, innovate with courage, and keep human well-being at the heart of every policy.

My hope is that the next chapter of UN–China cooperation will continue to be defined by pragmatic partnership — advancing the SDGs at home, and through solidarity, fostering progress abroad.

And to the next generation: in 1997, I entered the UN as a young officer. Today, I remain as convinced as ever of what I shared with China Daily — your potential is not bound by the horizon. The sky is not the limit; the universe is limitless.

The author is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China.