Not long ago, H.E. U.Khurelsukh, President of Mongolia, visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025, as well as commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. At the meeting with President Xi Jinping, President Khurelsukh noted that the Mongolian side highly appreciates the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), put forward by President Xi at the “SCO+” meeting, which calls for the establishment of an international governance system with the United Nations at its core and with equal participation of all developing countries. 

What is the GGI? What significance does it have for developing countries including China and Mongolia?

Today, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the globe. Deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are getting wider, while the authority, effectiveness, and representativeness of the United Nations are being eroded and challenged. Human society has once again come to a critical crossroads. What kind of global governance system to build, and how to reform and improve it, have become major questions to the international community.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, a crucial year for global governance. The GGI consists of five core concepts, which stem from the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respond to the shared aspiration of most countries and the pressing needs of our times.

First, sovereign equality is the foremost premise. All countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance. Greater democracy should be promoted in international relations to make the global governance system better reflect the interests and aspirations of the majority of countries and to increase the representation and say of developing countries.

Second, international rule of law is the fundamental safeguard. International law and rules should be jointly formulated, upheld, and observed by all countries. There aren’t and shouldn’t be exceptions. In emerging areas, international rules should be formulated on the basis of extensive consensus. International law and international rules must be applied equally and uniformly, without double standards or imposition on others.

Third, multilateralism is the basic pathway. Global governance is about all and bears on vital interests of every country. It requires the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, instead of unilateral bullying. The United Nations is the central platform for practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance. Its role should only be strengthened, not weakened.

Fourth, the people-centered approach is the underpinning value. At the end of the day, global governance is about turning people’s aspiration for a better life into reality. The needs of developing countries deserve particular attention, with efforts focused on addressing the imbalance between the North and the South and building a world where all can enjoy prosperity and well-being.

Fifth, taking real actions is an important principle. The effectiveness of global governance depends on whether it can deliver concrete solutions. We should address both symptoms and root causes, and seek sustainable outcomes. This requires not only addressing urgent issues of today but also tackling long-term challenges ahead. Developed countries must fulfill their responsibilities and provide more resources and public goods, and developing countries should work in solidarity and contribute what they can.

The Global Governance Initiative is another important public good China has contributed to the world, following the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. The four initiatives, with their own focus working in parallel for a common goal, form a solid framework from the perspectives of development, security, civilization, and governance for building a community with a shared future for humanity. The four initiatives, embodying China’s wisdom and showing its strong sense of responsibility, point the way forward for human society.

The Global Governance Initiative, introduced at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, was the highlight of the event. Recently, the UN General Assembly adopted by an overwhelming majority the resolution on “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization”. The resolution commended the SCO’s constructive role in safeguarding peace and sustainable development, promoting regional cooperation, and consolidating good-neighborly relations and mutual trust. It also suggests the UN system strengthen cooperation with the SCO to jointly implement agreed frameworks and goals.

China and Mongolia, both developing countries, share broad consensus and have made joint efforts on regional and international affairs. China stands ready to work with Mongolia to further advance the Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the implementation of the four global initiatives. Through bilateral channels as well as multilateral platforms such as the UN and the SCO, we will uphold the post-war international order, reinvigorate the true multilateralism, advance reform of the global governance system, safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries, and move the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.