As the 2024 BRICS summit approaches, a global South think tank forum entitled “Peace, Development, Security: Building a Prosperous World with Shared Destiny” was held on October 16 in Beijing. This event was co-organized by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and China Global Television Network (CGTN). Minister Liu Jianchao of the International Department and Shen Haixiong, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department and President of CGTN, delivered video messages to participants. The forum saw the engagement of officials, scholars, and media representatives from 76 countries, joining both online and in person.
In his address, Liu Jianchao emphasized that the “global South” is growing stronger and reflects the wishes of the majority of nations in this group. He noted that China, as a member of the global South, has always shared a destiny with these countries and actively advocates for South-South cooperation. He reiterated China’s commitment to collaborating closely with other southern nations, working together to promote global development, security, and cultural initiatives, thereby enhancing the strength of the global South in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Shen Haixiong remarked that the global South is united in its pursuit of collaborative progress, striving to advocate for peace, security, fairness, and justice. He stated that CGTN aims to foster communication and exchange between China and countries of the global South, creating a platform for voices promoting cooperation and justice. He expressed a willingness to work alongside think tanks from the global South to contribute significantly to building a community with a shared future.
Eric Solheim, President of the EU Asian Center and former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, congratulated the forum’s successful execution. He pointed out that the rise of global South countries marks a significant advancement in human societal development, underscoring their role as strong proponents and guardians of world peace, which is crucial for creating a stable and multipolar world.
Vladimir Norov, the former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, shared that the forum offered invaluable opportunities for think tanks from the global South to reach a broad consensus on strengthening developmental cooperation, promoting fairness, and building a prosperous future together. He noted that expanding South-South cooperation would enhance the provision of global public goods and amplify the voice of the global South.
Joamart Otorbaev, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, remarked on the current challenges of de-globalization facing the world, urging think tanks from the global South to proactively innovate and work together towards a more prosperous future.
Representatives from various nations also contributed perspectives. Ly Borak, Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, noted China’s significant assistance to many countries and its message of harmonious coexistence, shared prosperity, and happiness, acknowledging China’s vital role in promoting global peace and development.
Catarina, Bolivia’s Vice Foreign Minister, highlighted the pressing global crises and called for deepening diversified cooperation among global South nations to effectively tackle these challenges.
The Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism in Laos, Posi Chomani, praised China’s dedication to friendly cooperation with developing nations and its commitment to initiatives that benefit countries worldwide.
Several additional representatives expressed their hopes for enhanced collaboration among think tanks in the global South, acknowledging the disparities as opportunities for cooperative growth and development.
At the forum, over 40 think tanks from the global South signed and released the “Initiative for Jointly Building a Prosperous World with Shared Destiny.” This initiative calls for strengthening developmental cooperation, promoting fairness, and amplifying the voices of global South nations to collectively build a peaceful and prosperous human community.
The forum will be featured in a special program on CGTN on October 18.
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