Chinese Premier Li Qiang said at the Global Development Initiative (GDI) meeting held at the UN headquarters that China is ready to work with all parties to advance the implementation of the initiative and accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The meeting was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, heads of state and government from several countries, and representatives of international organizations.
Li recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI at the UN General Assembly in 2021, focusing on the common interests of humanity and calling for six core principles. With the participation of over 130 countries and organizations, the initiative has become a widely recognized global public good. He emphasized that in a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise and global economic growth is weakening, the GDI has gained even greater significance.
The premier made four proposals to strengthen global development: creating a stable and open international development environment, building balanced partnerships that address the needs of developing countries, enhancing scientific and technological cooperation to foster innovation, and promoting sustainable, green, and low-carbon development. Li said China would increase investment, strengthen science and technology collaboration, and support global green transformation to achieve these goals.
Participants expressed support for the GDI, the other four global initiatives proposed by Xi Jinping, and the Belt and Road Initiative. They commended China’s role in the WTO reform process and welcomed its new proposal on international cooperation in artificial intelligence. In a joint statement, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing development, deepening cooperation under the GDI, and working together to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.