Building a more equitable global order

The international governance system is facing one of its most serious crises. Growing geopolitical rivalry, weakened multilateral institutions, selective application of international law, and the inability to respond effectively to global challenges — from climate change and pandemics to debt, artificial intelligence and armed conflicts — have exposed the limitations of the current global order. Increasingly, countries are calling for a governance system that is more representative, equitable and responsive to the realities of the 21st century.

Against this backdrop, China launched the Global Governance Initiative in 2025, elaborating on it further in 2026. Far from being an isolated endeavor, the GGI builds on a decade of China-led global initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Together, these initiatives reflect China's growing effort to shape international cooperation and contribute to the evolving architecture of global governance.

While these initiatives are global in scope, they have attracted particular interest across the Global South. Many developing countries, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America, have long argued that the current international system does not adequately reflect today's geopolitical and economic realities. Decision-making in key international institutions remains concentrated among a few powerful states, while developing countries continue to seek greater representation and influence.

The central question, therefore, is whether China's GGI can help establish a more representative, effective, and inclusive international order amid increasing global fragmentation.

The GGI is best understood as China's policy response to what Beijing identifies as growing deficits in peace, development, representation, and institutional effectiveness. It does not propose replacing the existing international system or creating parallel institutions. Rather, it calls for reforming and strengthening the United Nations-centered multilateral system to better address contemporary global challenges.

The institutions established after World War II have made important contributions to international peace and development. However, the world has changed dramatically over the past eight decades. New security threats, digital transformation, climate change and shifting economic power require governance structures that are more adaptable, inclusive, and responsive.

One of the GGI's principal objectives is to increase the participation of developing countries in global governance. From an African perspective, initiatives that seek to amplify the voice of the Global South deserve careful consideration. Africa represents nearly one-fifth of the world's population, yet its influence within many international institutions remains limited. A more balanced system of global governance would not only improve legitimacy but also produce decisions that better reflect the interests of the wider international community.

The initiative also seeks to improve global economic governance by strengthening South-South cooperation and encouraging more inclusive approaches to development. Many developing countries increasingly see cooperation among themselves as an important means of sharing experience, mobilizing resources, and strengthening their collective voice in international affairs.

Beyond economic governance, the GGI places considerable emphasis on cooperation in addressing global public goods.

Climate change, public health, digital governance, and artificial intelligence cannot be managed by individual countries acting alone. These challenges require stronger international cooperation, effective multilateral institutions, and greater trust among nations.

Another important pillar of the initiative is the peaceful settlement of disputes.

In an increasingly polarized international environment, the GGI advocates dialogue, consultation and diplomacy over confrontation and unilateral action.

Whether this vision can be fully realized will depend on the willingness of all major powers to place collective interests above geopolitical competition.

According to China's official policy documents, the GGI is guided by several key principles: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, genuine multilateralism, equal participation of all countries regardless of size or power, people-centered development and practical, results-oriented international cooperation.

These principles resonate with many developing countries that have consistently called for greater fairness, equality and inclusiveness in global governance.

Ultimately, the success of the GGI will lie in its implementation. Like any major international initiative, it must demonstrate transparency, inclusiveness, and tangible results. It must also build confidence across different regions and political systems in order to gain broad international acceptance.

The debate surrounding the GGI extends beyond China. It reflects a wider global conversation about how international governance should evolve in an increasingly interconnected yet divided world.

Calls for reform are no longer confined to developing countries; they are increasingly echoed across regions as existing institutions struggle to keep pace with rapidly changing global realities.

Whether one agrees with every aspect of China's proposal or not, the GGI has injected fresh momentum into discussions on the future of multilateralism. As international discussions on global governance continue, it is essential that Africa and other regions of the Global South actively participate in shaping the outcome. A governance system that genuinely reflects the diversity of today's world will be stronger, more legitimate, and better equipped to address the challenges that no nation can solve alone.

The future of global governance will ultimately depend not on who leads or initiates the conversation, but on whether the international community can collectively build institutions that are more representative, more accountable, and more responsive to the aspirations of all humanity.

The author is a former ambassador of Ethiopia to China.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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