Geneva came alive Thursday as dozens of delegates from developing countries converged to tackle the fallout from rising global trade tensions.
At a dialogue co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Chinese mainland to the UN Office in Geneva and the South Center, over 30 delegations from developing nations gathered to address economic headwinds and share solutions.
For many, the event’s heartbeat was the call to bolster South-South collaboration\u0000—uniting emerging players to navigate a shifting landscape. Chen Xu, the Chinese mainland\u0000’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, flagged US "reciprocal tariffs" as a barrier, noting they "deprive developing countries of growth opportunities and severely disrupt the global economic and trade order."
Yet, the dialogue didn’t stop at critique. "China remains committed to opening up and win-win cooperation," Chen added, underscoring plans to strengthen ties with fellow developing states and to uphold a UN-centered system anchored by the WTO\u0000’s multilateral trading framework.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Wu Hailong, board member of the South Center, painted a vivid picture: supply chains wobbling, financial markets unsettled, and trade trajectories stalling due to US tariffs. "Now more than ever, we need a united response," he urged, highlighting the potential of coordinated action.
By day’s end, consensus reigned: harness the collective power of 55 member nations of the South Center, ramp up South-South trade, and align efforts with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The message was clear\u0000—a collaborative path forward, where emerging economies shape their own futures.
As global trade winds shift, this Geneva gathering may mark the turning point for developing nations ready to steer the course toward shared prosperity.
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Developing countries to boost cooperation amid global trade tensions
cgtn.com
