Working Together in the Same Boat and Moving Steadily Forward — Jointly Opening Up a New Chapter in Global Governance

The profound changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, with profound adjustments in the balance of international forces. Global challenges such as geopolitical conflicts, climate change and energy security continue to emerge one after another. At the same time, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, the deficit in global governance continues to widen, and developing countries remain underrepresented and have insufficient voice in international affairs. Faced with the question of our times – “What is happening to the world, and what should we do?” – the international community needs, more than ever, a global governance system that is more just and equitable, and more effective and robust.
On 1 September 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling for staying committed to sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, practising multilateralism, advocating a people-centred approach and taking real actions. The initiative offers China’s proposal for reforming and improving the global governance system. Following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, it is another important international public good China has put forward for the world. In less than a year, the GGI has received support and positive responses from nearly 160 countries and international organisations, while more than 60 countries have joined the Group of Friends of Global Governance. This fully demonstrates the strong vitality of the GGI and shows that making the global governance system more just and equitable is a shared aspiration of the international community, particularly the vast number of developing countries.

Equal Participation: Making Global Governance More Just and Equitable
The GGI calls for staying committed to sovereign equality, emphasising respect for the sovereignty and dignity of all countries, respect for their independent choice of social systems and development paths, and greater representation and say for developing countries in global governance. As China has consistently advocated, global affairs should be decided by all, the governance system built by all, and the fruits of governance shared by all. The Concept Paper on the GGI states that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, should have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals.
As a major country in terms of population and an important developing country, Bangladesh has long been playing an active role in United Nations affairs, making positive contributions to upholding multilateralism and promoting the common interests of developing countries. In particular, Bangladesh has made significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. Since its first deployment of peacekeepers in 1988, Bangladesh has sent nearly 200,000 personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. Currently, more than 5,600 Bangladeshi military personnel and police officers are deployed across UN missions around the world, making Bangladesh one of the major contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations.
From participating in UN peacekeeping operations to actively promoting multilateral cooperation, Bangladesh's experience demonstrates that developing countries are not merely participants in global governance, but also an important force for upholding multilateralism and promoting world peace and development. Ensuring the global governance system better reflecting the voices and concerns of developing countries is an imperative of our times.

People-Centred Approach: Ensuring the Fruits of Governance Truly Benefiting the People
What is the ultimate purpose of global governance? The answer should be to make people's lives better. China's own development experience demonstrates that, ultimately, the effectiveness of a governance system should be measured by whether it can address the issues that matter most to the people and directly affect their lives. Over the past decade and more, China has historically eradicated absolute poverty, built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, kept improving conditions in education, healthcare, housing and social security, and advanced the modernisation of more than 1.4 billion people. China's development path is not intended to be copied by other countries. Rather, China stands ready to share its experience with other developing countries, learn from one another, and work together to explore development paths suited to their respective national conditions.
This vision is highly consistent with Bangladesh's development aspirations. With a large population and enormous development potential, Bangladesh is at a critical stage of economic and social transformation and modernisation. Whether it is promoting employment and economic development, addressing climate change, or improving people's livelihoods, all these efforts require a more equitable, inclusive and effective global governance environment. China is willing to work with Bangladesh and other countries of the Global South to promote a global governance system that pays greater attention to the actual needs of developing countries, so that the benefits of global governance can be shared more widely and equitably among the peoples of all countries.

Putting Words into Action: Turning Global Governance Consensus into Concrete Actions
During the official visit by Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in June this year, China and Bangladesh issued a Joint Communiqué, in which Bangladesh appreciates and supports President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the series of Global Initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping and stands ready to carry out cooperation with China. This fully demonstrates the shared understanding between the two countries on the international situation and the direction of global governance and provides a solid political foundation for China and Bangladesh to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the field of global governance.
As members of the Global South, China and Bangladesh share broad common interests in upholding multilateralism, promoting common development, advancing the democratisation of international relations, and other areas. China is ready to take the implementation of the GGI as an opportunity to strengthen communication and coordination with Bangladesh at the United Nations and on other multilateral platforms, uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and enhance exchanges and cooperation in such areas as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, climate change, poverty reduction and capacity building, so as to better translate the GGI into concrete outcomes that contribute to the development of the two countries and deliver greater benefits to their peoples.
As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “When the strength of many is combined, nothing is too heavy to lift.” When countries work together with one heart and one mind, the world can pool greater certainty and positive energy.
Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with Bangladesh and other developing countries to maintain the vision of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, firmly uphold the central role of the United Nations, and promote the global governance system toward greater justice and equity. Together, we will build a world that is more equitable, dynamic and resilient.
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The writer is Ambassador of China to Bangladesh