China's Global Development Initiative: a transformative force for global cooperation

Five years ago, President Xi Jinping of China introduced the Global Development Initiative (GDI) during a general debate at the 76th UN General Assembly. Since its inception, the GDI has garnered endorsement from 130 countries and international organizations, cementing its status as a transformative force in global cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the GDI's shift from a Chinese proposal to a global consensus, emphasizing its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its potential to foster a shared future.

The GDI emerged at a time when global conflict and unilateralism were on the rise, offering an alternative to fragmentation and discord. Its success is evident in the support from nearly 100 countries and international organizations, as well as the establishment of 30 cooperation mechanisms and platforms. The GDI has also provided tangible benefits to millions across the globe, with China mobilizing 23 billion US Dollars for 1,800 livelihood projects and training over 200,000 individuals.

Minister Wang Yi highlighted the GDI's role in maintaining the international system centered around the UN and promoting a stable environment for global development. He stressed the importance of upholding the UN and its principles, advocating for a world order based on equality and consensus-seeking mechanisms. As China continues to play a catalytic role in reshaping the international world order, the GDI stands as a beacon of global cooperation, promising a future premised on peace, development, and the interests of the Majority World.