GDI: Changing development landscape

While speaking at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Development Initiative to address the contemporary challenges. He briefed the participants about the Global Development Initiative and why China is launching it.

He said there is a need for a fairer and equality-based framework of global cooperation and development, where countries must be treated equally. He urged economically stable and strong countries to take the lead and assist the developing world to move on the path to development. Going green and green recovery should be the guiding principles for future development and recovery from the shock of COVID-19, but it is not possible without cooperation. He was of the view that the world needs to devise mechanisms that can help the world combat multifaceted problems by adhering to multilateral systems. It is the best available option to achieve the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Thus, we need to strengthen the multilateral system and avoid efforts to weaken it.

In this context, China has launched GDI to contribute to overcoming the challenges the world is facing. The GDI has been designed around eight core concepts and principles. First, prioritizing development. China believes that development holds the master key to solving problems. Thus, efforts should be made to make development a priority, and all countries should cooperate. Second, there is a need for a people-centric approach, and all economic and development policies and actions must keep the people at the center. It must be ensured that development is for the people, by the people, and its fruits are shared by the people. Third, no one and no country should be left behind on the road to development. Thus, development models should be inclusive. The fruits of development must be shared by all the segments of society, without any distinction of ethnicity, class, etc., and country. There should also be a focus on the needs of the poor, small islands, and less developed countries.

Fourth, however, harmony between humans and nature should be the guiding principle. Development should not be achieved at the cost of the environment. All efforts should be made to create harmony between human development goals and the planet’s needs. We must respect the law of Nature and the principles of the environment, ecosystem, etc. Fifth, innovation plays a leading role in driving development and environmental agenda. All countries should share the dividend of innovation and technological development like 5-G, artificial intelligence, etc. Sixth, the world has to develop global development partnerships to achieve the goal of sustainable development. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the role of multilateral institutions. The UN must play a prominent and central role to achieve equitable and sustainable development. Moreover, there is a need to enhance the North-South and South-South Cooperation further.

Seventh, policies and programs must be action-oriented. There should be no empty talks. There is no room to waste time anymore, as problems are getting serious with the passage of time. Thus, all institutions have to accelerate their actions through better coordination and communication.

Eighth, we need to maximize the synergy between the 2030 Agenda and initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, Agenda 2063 of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and the Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development, and pool the great strengths of the UN, G20, APEC, BRICS, China-ASEAN and other multilateral cooperation processes to strive for common development

That’s why China has designed GDI to contribute to achieving the goals of Agenda 2030 but with a special focus on the development needs of low- and middle-income countries. It is in line with the saying of President Xi, “World is a Community with a Shared Future, “and the Chinese philosophy of sharing prosperity.

After the launch of GDI, China has taken multiple steps to advance its agenda. First, China launched a global campaign to introduce GDI and forge partnerships with other countries. China has established a Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative. One hundred countries attended its first meeting. Now, the group is expanding. GDI was also discussed at different forums erected by China and partners, including China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, etc.

Second, China is taking practical steps to contribute to the welfare of poor nations. President Xi set the vision of GDI by saying: “On the road to the wellbeing of all mankind, no country or nation should be left behind”. Now, China is rigorously following this vision. For example, China has extended generous support to combat the challenges of COVID-19. It contributed US$ 100 million to global funds for vaccines; on a bilateral level, cooperation is much more. Third, to combat the challenge of climate change, it is already sharing its experience and technology. China is also working to turn BRI into a green BRI. It is investing in green energy and green industries under the BRI.

Fourth, the digital economy and connectivity are key areas on which China is putting a lot of focus. It is a very important area of GDI, as right now, 47 percent of the world’s population does not have access to the internet. Moreover, 50 percent of the population in developed countries is facing the problem of affordability. There is no doubt that China is emerging as a global leader in technology, e.g., it is way ahead of the rest of the world in the field of 5-G. It is also leading the world in the field of artificial technology and quantum computing. On top of that, one billion people were brought to digital space during the last decade, which is marvelous. It is also promoting the digital economy and is one of the leading players in the digitalizing economy. So, the world is expecting to benefit from the marvelous success on this front.

The good news is that China, under the GDI, is offering the world the opportunity to benefit from its success in the field of digital technology and digital economy. However, it would be good if it launched a special initiative like the Shanghai Expo under the umbrella of the digital economy and connectivity.

The progress report of 2023 showed that Chinese efforts are bearing fruits, and GDI has achieved many milestones since its inception.

First, China has upgraded the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund into a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. It has also contributed US$ 1 billion in addition to US$ 3 billion of the fund. Second, it has established many platforms like the International NGOs Network for Poverty Reduction Cooperation and Global Development Promotion Center etc. It is also in the process of finalizing the process of establishing platforms like the Global Alliance for Poverty Reduction and Development (GAPRD), the International Vaccines Research, Development, and Innovation Alliance, the World TVET League, the Global Knowledge Network for Development, the International Coalition for Energy Transitions and Global Network for Sustainable Forest Management, etc.

Third, it is also building partnerships by launching different initiatives and organizing conferences or meetings like the World Conference on Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the Initiative for Agrarian Civilization Protection, the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, the Global Development Initiative, Digital Cooperation Forum, the 2022 Global Digital Economy, UN World Data Forum 2023, Digital Literacy and Skills Improvement Initiative, World Youth Development Forum, Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership, Blue Partnership, Partnership for New Industrial Revolution, Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, International Forum on Energy Transitions

Jointly initiating the Action Plan for Global Youth Development and Global Development Forum.

Fourth, it is also promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building through different initiatives like South-South Cooperation in Cross-Border E-commerce for Poverty Eradication and Global Sustainable Development. China is also trying to assist countries in building their capacity for food security through the China- Pacific Island Countries Demonstration Center for Agricultural Cooperation. China has planned to launch ICT Capacity Building Programs for the developing and least developed countries.

Fifth, the most distinguished achievement of GDI is that it is changing the development landscape of the world, as China is offering development opportunities without any strings.

In conclusion, GDI is not only focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 but also beyond 2030. Thus, it is assumed that GDI will assist China in building its image as a soft power and as a country that believes in prosperity sharing and peaceful cooperative coexistence.