On April 19, United Nations Association of China (UNA-China) hosted a webinar on Promoting Global Development Initiative(GDI) for a Shared Future. Former Prime Minister of Egypt Mr. Essam Sharaf, Former Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme Mr. Erik Solheim, UN Resident Coordinator in China Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, Chief Representative Officer at China Office of World Economic Forum Ms. Rebecca Ivey, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan’s Asian Institute of Eco-civilazation Research and Development Mr. Shakeeel Ahmad Ramay, President of China Public Diplomacy Association and Former Permanent Representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland Amb. WU Hailong, Director of Institute of World Economics and Politics at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Dr. ZHANG Yuyan, Dean of Academy of Global Development at Beijing Normal University Prof. WANG Hongxin attended the meeting and delivered keynote speeches. Mr. WANG Chao, President of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and President of UNA-China addressed the opening session. Vice-President and Director-General of UNA-China Ms. HU Wenli chaired the meeting and made concluding remarks. 

In his opening speech, President WANG Chao stated that the world is undergoing once-in-a-century changes and the impact of COVID-19, and the global development has been seriously undermined. Some developing countries have returned to poverty and chaos due to the pandemic, and even the life of many people in developed countries are in trouble. Meanwhile, a new round of scientific and technological revolution is booming, and new business forms and models of digital economy and green economy are emerging, bringing new impetus and new opportunities for economic recovery. At a time when the global development has suffered setbacks, China solemnly put forward the GDI, which is intended to appeal to the international community to form joint force to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and promote stronger, greener and healthier global development. 

The GDI highlights the theme of the times of peace and development and is a global public good. First, the GDI closely follows the agenda of the UN, provides an accelerator for promoting the achievement of SDGs, and supports the UN to play a greater role in global governance. Secondly, the GDI is open to the world and welcomes all parties to join. It adheres to the principle of achieving shared benefits through consultation and collaboration, practices true multilateralism, formulates a road map to narrow the North-South divide and overcome development imbalance, and promotes global development to a new stage of balance, coordination and inclusiveness. Third, the GDI is a re-boost to the global partnership for development. It does not regard other development initiatives as competitors, but promotes synergy among various development processes and injects strong impetus into accelerating development and achieving common prosperity for all countries, especially developing countries. Fourth, the GDI advocates people-centered development, a reaffirmation of the core concept of human rights, and emphasizes the promotion of people’s well-being and the realization of people’s all-round development as the starting point and foothold, which is also the ultimate value of global public goods.

President WANG Chao stressed that the GDI provides framework and implementation path for global common development and international development cooperation. It focuses on the needs of developing countries and has received a positive response from the international community. Since the initiative was raised, more than 100 countries and international organizations such as the UN have expressed their support, indicating the core concept of the GDI has broad international consensus. The GDI conforms to the trend of history and the times, demonstrates China’s responsibility, and is in line with the common vision of the international community to achieve the SDGs. The international community should work together to promote the implementation of the GDI, so that no country and individual should be left behind, and no appeal should be ignored.  

The international community should promote synergy between the initiative and relevant development cooperation mechanisms. The UN and its development agencies should actively participate in the 8 key areas of cooperation and put forward specific cooperation programs in accordance with their respective mandates and strategic plans, so as to give stronger support for the 2030 Agenda. Regional and sub-regional organizations can strengthen the alignment of their development strategies on the GDI, so that the GDI cooperation can be more in line with the development priorities of the region or sub-region, and better respond to the people’s aspiration for a better life across the region or sub-region. Countries could participate in the GDI in a flexible way, either in part or across all 8 key areas, based on their practical needs or comparative advantages. Through the concerted efforts of all parties, the GDI will bring together great forces at the global, regional and national levels for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the construction of a global community for development. In addition to cooperation at the official level, more attention should be paid to the important role played by the private sector, non-governmental organizations, think tanks and universities and colleges. All parties are welcomed to carry out dialogue in an open, inclusive, flexible and gradual manner, and make suggestions from different angles on enriching and deepening the GDI and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The media is encouraged to give more coverage to development issues, and create a positive opinion environment. All countries should engage in healthy competition for a better future, rather than pursuing their own hegemony.