As the United Nations prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025, China has launched a new proposal, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), aimed at reshaping the international order to be more equitable, inclusive, and responsive to contemporary challenges.
The initiative, unveiled in a detailed concept paper, comes amid growing turbulence in the global landscape and widening gaps in governance.
While the international order established in 1945 has achieved historic progress in maintaining peace and development, the document highlights persistent deficiencies that limit the effectiveness of existing institutions.
Three Deficits in Global Governance
The paper identifies three critical weaknesses. First is the underrepresentation of the Global South, which China argues must be addressed amid the rise of emerging markets and developing countries.
Second is the erosion of authority, with failures to uphold the U.N. Charter and the increasing use of unilateral sanctions that undermine international law.
Third is the lack of effectiveness, reflected in slow progress toward the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and persistent challenges such as climate change, the digital divide, and emerging domains including artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space.
China’s Role and the GGI Vision
As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and the world’s largest developing country, China positions itself as both a defender of the international order and a driver of reform.
The GGI is structured around five core principles: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and tangible results addressing both immediate and long-term global challenges.
Part of a Broader Framework
The GGI is the fourth in a series of Chinese-led initiatives, alongside the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
Each targets a specific dimension of international cooperation, from development and peacebuilding to cultural exchange.
The GGI, Beijing emphasizes, seeks reform within the U.N.-centered system, making global governance more representative, effective, and adaptable.
International Reactions
South Sudanese activist and Executive Director of CEPO, Mr. Edmund Yakani, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its innovative, people-to-people approach.
“President Xi Jinping is a motivating and encouraging global partner, offering co-created strategies for fostering global governance based on mutual benefits,” Mr. Yakani said.
He noted that the paper’s vision of a governance system built on cooperation, equality, and shared outcomes is “inspiring” and contrasts with approaches that rely on coercion or unilateralism.
CEPO urged other global leaders to follow President Xi’s example in advancing initiatives that prioritize partnership and tangible results.
The Road Ahead
China pledges to advance the initiative through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefit, focusing on urgent areas such as reform of the international financial architecture, AI, climate change, cyberspace, outer space, and fair-trade practices.
Beijing also reaffirmed support for the U.N.’s “Pact for the Future” and emphasized leveraging multilateral platforms to build consensus and deliver early results.
Shared Future for Humanity
The GGI reflects China’s broader vision of a “community with a shared future for humanity.” By reinforcing equality, rule of law, and multilateralism, the initiative seeks to align global governance with the aspirations of most nations, particularly in the Global South.
The paper concludes, “Enhancing global governance is the right choice for the international community to share in development opportunities and address global challenges.
China will work with all parties to reform and improve global governance and open up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.”
