China is bolstering the foundations of multilateral governance

UN headquarters in New York City. [Photo/Xinhua]

As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the world finds itself at a crossroads. Challenges such as an underrepresentation of Global South voices, stagnating sustainable development goals (SDGs) and constrained mechanisms for conflict resolution continue to test the multilateral system. Against this backdrop, China's proposal for strengthening the foundations of U.N.-led global governance at the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last month proved particularly noteworthy.

Consider the political consensus in further advancing the Global Governance Initiative's international aspects. The initiative places a premium on the rise of emerging markets, and offers important leverage to prioritize U.N. Security Council resolutions to bring the sustainable development interests of Global South states to the forefront of future governance deliberations. These are critical considerations for making effective progress in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, as official assessments indicate a yawning gap between the stated targets and current trajectory of progress between developed and developing nations.

Given this, the high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) provided a critical platform to address growth strategies and persistent challenges in key transformative fields – from artificial intelligence and cyberspace to green technologies. Rules that enable the effective allocation of technologies to countries facing procurement bottlenecks, and a people-centered discussion on what effective growth strategies should look like, collectively form the core of a uniformed vision for advancing humanity. According to this vision, barriers to multilateralism, double-standards on the application of rule of law and selective engagement of the U.N. and associated multilateral platforms, are treated as obstacles to enduring peace.

Moreover, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is strategically positioned to work in synergy with China's three other major initiatives – the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilizational Initiative (GCI). Together, they advance a holistic approach to realizing equitable peace. The GSI, for instance, lays a foundation for dialogue and informed consultation amid international tensions, serving as a vital mechanism for identifying gaps in governance structures, assessing the fairness of international rules against the principles of the U.N. Charter, and amplifying what many nations identify as essential conditions for collective growth. During the high-level meetings, China affirmed that it stands ready to strengthen coordination with the United Nations and all relevant parties to implement the GGI, foster a more just and equitable global governance system, and advance the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The high-level engagements in New York also served to clearly articulate China's perspective on the shifting global landscape of security, development and governance. There is clear recognition in Beijing that with only about one-third of the U.N.'s SDGs on track, significant gaps persist – particularly in financing, consensus-building and capacity development. Bridging these divides is essential for converting short-term progress into lasting developmental gains for nations worldwide.

As evidence from the World Economic Forum has shown, an increasing number of countries are leveraging the global financial system to advance their geopolitical interests, which can be seen in the fragmentation of the very U.N.-led system of participatory decision-making that proponents of sustainable development ought to bolster. Striking parallels between core principles of the GGI and key development visions of international partners, such as Africa's Agenda 2063, suggest wide latitude to promote inclusive conversations around climate transition and technology transfers. Moreover, these engagements can advance reforms that help developing countries acquire a permanent seat in one of the U.N.'s principal organs.

In this context, the high-level meeting on the GDI marks a substantive step forward. China has made a strong case for integrating global development priorities into concrete SDG implementation, while the gathering of key decision-makers has notably advanced multilateral consensus-building. China's international development strategy has consistently incorporated the concerns of numerous nations – particularly African states, which have repeatedly urged more decisive action on global challenges within U.N. platforms. The reiterated emphasis during the meetings on strengthening international development commitments and resisting unilateralism and protectionism resonates strongly with countries seeking sustainable growth decoupled from geopolitical maneuvering.

China is translating its commitment to common development into tangible action, with plans to launch over 2,000 new livelihood projects across developing countries in the coming five years. This scale of implementation underscores Beijing's steadfast dedication to advancing sustainable growth, as demonstrated through the GDI, which has already brought together more than 130 countries and international organizations. The expanding reach of the GDI mechanism reflects broad-based international traction. At a time when strengthening multilateral governance systems is increasingly urgent, these cross-sectoral, on-the-ground contributions establish a practical framework for elevating the U.N.'s shared development goals from aspiration to action. As China emphasized at a recent U.N. Climate Summit, there is a critical need to strengthen confidence, assume responsibility and enhance collaboration to advance global climate governance.

A defining feature of China's engagement at the UNGA has been its consistent advocacy for collective security interests, a stance clearly reflected in recent international peacebuilding efforts, including those concerning Gaza. At the same time, China's push to expand market access and channel substantial investment into emerging enterprises worldwide demonstrates tangible potential to support the U.N. in assuming a broader role in maintaining global peace.

This diplomatic engagement has further solidified a shared understanding among partner states regarding China's international initiatives. Notably, these initiatives show significant alignment with key reform directions outlined in this year's U.N. secretary general's report, titled "Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver." Both the Global Governance Initiative and the U.N. report share a common focus: generating tangible value in an era of rapid, transformative change and enabling nations to harness the unprecedented opportunities this new landscape presents.

Hannan Hussain is co-founder and senior expert at Initiate Futures, an Islamabad-based policy think tank.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.