Xi emphasizes global development at BRICS forum

China stands ready to work with countries from around the world to step up implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and steadily advance the Global Development Initiative to jointly build a community for global development, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory message delivered to the BRICS Political Parties, Think Tanks and Civil Society Organizations Forum. BRICS is a multinational grouping involving Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

In the message, Xi said global economic recovery is fragile and sluggish, the development gap is widening and the world is facing serious challenges in climate change and digital governance.

He urged BRICS countries to boost cooperation and work with other developing countries to push for the international community to strengthen solidarity and jointly overcome difficulties to create brighter prospects for global development.

Xi called on political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations from BRICS countries to strengthen communication and exchanges and contribute their wisdom to promoting global development and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The forum, themed "Solidarity and Cooperation towards Common Development and a Brighter Future", was jointly hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, China Council for BRICS Think-tank Cooperation and China NGO Network for International Exchanges.

More than 130 participants, including leaders of political parties and representatives from think tanks and civil society organizations from 10 countries, attended the forum online.