1st high-level conference of Forum on Global Action for Shared Development held in Beijing

The first high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing on July 10, 2023.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the forum, which was read out by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.

Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), attended the event and delivered the welcome remarks.

Participants agreed that as the world is struggling with inequality and unfairness, regional conflicts and a strained global economy, shared development is a key route for people of all countries to achieve common prosperity and a shared responsibility for all governments. The GDI, one of the most important initiatives proposed by President Xi, has rich connotations and far-reaching significance. It reflects the vision of the Chinese leadership to lead the common development of the world, and provides theoretical foundation and cooperation platform for developing countries to achieve long-term socioeconomic development.

It was agreed that the GDI has become a major driving force for the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, demonstrating China’s strong sense of responsibility as a major country. As a fast-growing emerging economy, China facilitates the development of other developing countries by sharing its experience and accelerating actions, which helps countries in the global South embark on the fast track of rapid development, contributes to the common development and prosperity of the world, as well as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Hosted by the CIDCA, this forum attracted the onsite and online participation of representatives from 158 countries and international organizations. With a theme on "Global Development Initiative: Echo the Development Agenda and Call for Global Action", the forum held four parallel sessions to draw insights on promoting the GDI.

Guests who attended and addressed the event include Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare, President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Nikolai Snopkov, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, Presidential Adviser of the Republic of Nicaragua Laureano Ortega Murillo, and Cuban Minister of Industry Eloy Alvarez Martinez who is also representative of the Rotating Presidency of the Group of 77.