On September 1, 2025, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus meeting in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), outlining five pillars: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and real action.
Representatives of Gen Z from the United States, Syria, Palestine, Vietnam, Tonga and South Africa shared their insights on each pillar. In the video series, Tieu Thanh, a young Vietnamese advocate, zeroed in on what people-centered governance means for the climate agenda.
In climate governance, if people’s needs are not placed at the center, we risk overlooking the difficulties faced by certain groups when cutting emissions or the extra costs borne by households transitioning to clean energy, Tieu Thanh explains.
Her perspective highlights how a people-centered framework can drive fairer climate policies — from subsidies for low-income communities to targeted support for those most affected by policy shifts. Grounding decisions in lived experiences can strengthen resilience and ensure no one is left behind in the energy transition.
As the GGI gains momentum, voices like Tieu Thanh’s remind young global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers that centering community realities is key to crafting inclusive, impactful climate solutions for a sustainable future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
