As the world grapples with climate threats, pandemics and growing development gaps, the newly announced Global Governance Initiative (GGI) offers a fresh compass. Introduced by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization plus meeting in Tianjin, the GGI calls for a people-centered approach to reshape international cooperation.
At its heart is the conviction that global institutions must serve the interests of all peoples, not just a select few. Drawing on a principle long rooted in Chinese philosophy, the GGI argues that reforms should deliver tangible benefits to everyday lives and leave no individual or nation behind.
Development lies at the core of this mission. With more than 700Â million people still living in extreme poverty worldwide, the GGI emphasizes narrowing the wealth gap, bridging the North-South divide and fast-tracking the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It envisions a globalization that is more open, inclusive and balanced.
Inequality and underdevelopment are seen as drivers of instability, while inclusive growth builds lasting peace. China’s own journey—lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and promoting the Belt and Road Initiative—serves as a real-world example of people-first policies driving global progress.
Security, under the GGI framework, is redefined around the sense of safety felt by ordinary people. Instead of stockpiling weapons or dominating blocs, genuine security means peaceful communities, stable livelihoods and protection from transnational threats. The initiative calls for a fair and shared security architecture based on cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution and rejection of zero-sum logic.
By centering on the real needs of people—from economic opportunity to daily safety—the GGI charts a path toward common modernization and shared stability. It invites nations, communities and changemakers around the globe to join in forging a truly inclusive future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
