Multilateralism reaffirmed

陈小将

The GGI is widely seen as a strong reaffirmation of multilateralism, providing a platform for collective action.

On Dec 9, the Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially launched, with 43 founding member states issuing a joint statement calling for stronger support for the UN, coordinated responses to global challenges, and concrete actions to meet the expectations of people worldwide.

At the inaugural meeting, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said the group is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of more like-minded countries. He also encouraged members to strengthen engagement and cooperation with other countries, the UN Secretariat and relevant international organizations, with the aim of building a more just and equitable global governance system and contributing more to world peace and development.

Former Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme described the GGI as "an excellent contribution" to strengthening the multilateral system, which he said must be rebalanced to reflect the growing weight of non-Western countries.

Leterme emphasized the need to apply these principles to real-world crises. He urged dialogue centered on common interests, citing the GGI as a framework grounded in principles widely shared under the UN Charter.

Zlatko Lagumdzija, former prime minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the four global initiatives together offer a road map toward achieving a shared future that treats diversity as "an asset, not a liability".

At the core of the GGI is the call to defend national sovereignty, uphold multilateralism and reinforce the international rule of law at a time when some actors appear to favor "the rules of the jungle", he said.

Lagumdzija warned that abandoning these principles would push countries toward isolation, instability and risks, awakening "the dark ages" of medieval Europe.

He stressed the need to rejuvenate multilateralism with the UN at its center. Without the UN, he warned, "the world will be one big jungle". As global capabilities continue to grow exponentially, it is essential to channel that power toward shared benefits and a common future, he added.