Beijing — Against the backdrop of the United Nations marking its 80th anniversary this year, senior UN officials, scholars and diplomats gathered in Beijing for the UN–the Chinese mainland Forum on the Transformation and Future of Global Governance. The event, held earlier this month, brought voices from around the world to explore how multilateral cooperation must evolve in a rapidly changing era.
Four Themes Shaping Tomorrow
- Rise of the Global South: Delegates from Africa, Latin America and Asia emphasized stronger representation in decision-making bodies. A senior UN official noted that one billion people now live in nations that once had limited influence at the UN.
- Redefining Multilateralism: Panelists called for more flexible coalitions and regional partnerships, arguing that traditional models must adapt to diverse challenges like climate change and health crises.
- Investing in Global Public Goods: Experts highlighted sustainable development, pandemic preparedness and affordable digital access as shared priorities. Data showed global R&D spending on clean energy doubled over the past five years.
- Governing the Digital Era: Scholars examined new risks—from data privacy to algorithmic bias—and proposed a global digital charter to set common standards.
CGTN Digital reporter Yu Qiuyuan brought exclusive interviews with key speakers and diplomats, capturing the human stories behind policy debates. A scholar from Brazil reflected, “True progress comes when diverse voices shape the rules we all follow.”
As global challenges evolve, forums like this underscore the need for inclusive, innovative governance to secure a sustainable future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
