The event, scheduled for the next two days, will bring together leaders of more than 110 nations and members of dozens of international organizations.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in the capital to attend the most important diplomatic event of the year organized by China to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov also arrived in Beijing today to take part in the October 17-18 event.

In the case of Moscow, the arrival of President Vladimir Putin, is also due to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping, is awaited.

The IFR is the most important Chinese initiative in favor of connectivity with different land and maritime routes throughout Africa, Europe and Asia mainly.

The later inclusion of Latin America and the Caribbean as part of the Maritime Silk Road responded to the interest of incorporating new subjects, promoting multilateralism and favoring the creation of infrastructures.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that over the last 10 years, this mega-project has followed the principles of broad consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, as well as a sustainable people-centered approach.

The Foreign Ministry recalled that the initiative is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has synergy with the strategies of several countries.

The World Bank estimated that by 2030, IFR-related investments could lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty.

According to official data, IFR currently involves about 150 countries and 32 international organizations involved in more than 3,000 practical cooperation projects.

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