Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on Sept. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Leaders from the Global South emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, adherence to international law, people-centered governance and the promotion of multilateralism

by Ada Zhang

The core principles of China-proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) were echoed across the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) over the week.

Leaders from the Global South emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, adherence to international law, people-centered governance and the promotion of multilateralism.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday told the UNGA that Russia advocates for “unconditional adherence to the principle of equality.”

Lavrov noted that the current global balance of power is fundamentally different from that established 80 years ago. “Decolonization and other major upheavals have reshaped the political map. The Global Majority is asserting its rights loudly.”

He called for multilateralism and a constructive role of other global and regional multilateral institutions, one of the core concepts of the GGI.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS “play a special role as mechanisms for aligning the interests of the Global South and East,” he said, pointing to the growing influence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and other regional organizations.

His calls were echoed by Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, who said the East today is “far from what it was even a decade ago,” representing the Global South, or the Global Majority, whose influence the world must recognize.

“Not only Belarus and Russia, but as far as the Pacific horizon, as our Chinese friends say, a community with a shared future for humanity. With reduced customs and physical barriers, strengthened interaction across all urgent issues, and development of interpersonal contacts,” Ryzhenkov said.

As a response to current “negative trends”, Ryzhenkov said, the idea of regionalization is gaining popularity, strengthening mechanisms of cooperation, such as BRICS, SCO, ASEAN and others.

“These structures, reflecting the interests of the Global Majority, operate on principles of mutual respect, equality, and consensus rather than domination and plunder, creating a fair multipolar economic architecture,” he said, adding that the initiative on global governance is “fully supported by Belarus”, and “is therefore timely.”

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on Sept. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on Saturday called for rejecting the practice of unilateralism and staying committed to multilateralism.

“Let us all hope for a new civilized coexistence, in which solidarity, international cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes prevail, as alternatives to war, the use of force, aggression and occupation; as opposed to aspirations for uni-polar domination and hegemonism,” Parrilla said.

He advocated for an order without blockades or unilateral coercive measures, based on multilateralism and with full respect for the United Nations Charter and international law.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UNGA on Friday that Pakistan values strategic partnerships, highlighting cooperation with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Such initiatives, he said, “are contributors to our progress.”

He said he “admires” China’s GGI, noting that along with other global initiatives, it “offers a comprehensive framework for a more just, fair and inclusive development.”

“Pakistan will always stand for peace, justice and development, for a revitalized United Nations and for cooperative multilateralism that is fair and inclusive,” he said.

Addressing the UNGA on Thursday, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie urged developed countries to fulfill their responsibilities — one of the core concepts of the GGI, which calls for a commitment to real results.

“No state can single-handedly manage global challenges. We, therefore, call on fellow member states, especially developed countries that have historic responsibilities, to reverse recent downward trends and intensify efforts towards the collective public good of development and peace,” said Selassie.

“Ethiopia reiterates Africa’s longstanding call that there should be more decentralization and deployment of institutional and financial capacity to the Global South, especially to the African continent, where the United Nations has most of its programs,” he said.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned of the danger of breaking the international rule of law. “Serious violations of international law have become ‘a new normality,’ which undermines global stability and erodes confidence between peoples, between political leaders, and between states,” Tokayev told the UNGA.

He said his country believes “only a governance rooted in common sense and the rule of law can ensure public order and protect the rights of all citizens.”

“The interests of law-abiding people and decent citizens must always come first, maintained through justice, accountability, and mutual respect,” he said, calling for staying committed to the people-centered approach, another concept advocated by the GGI.

“We will remain firmly on this path – deepening governance reforms at home while supporting global governance abroad,” Tokayev said.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid also urged the international community to abide by the international rule of law.

“Iraq calls for international cooperation and the adoption of comprehensive approaches based on the principles of international law, the spirit of humanitarian partnership, and a holistic view of stability in the region and the world,” Rashid said.

Iraq advocates for international cooperation and comprehensive approaches based on the principles of international law, the spirit of humanitarian partnership, and a holistic view of stability in the region and beyond.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responds to questions in the National Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 9, 2025. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that his country also called upon member states to promote multilateralism and safeguard the institutions that enable it.

“Many countries with developing economies, especially in Africa, do not have adequate capital to finance their development goals. They are indebted and are paying more on debt servicing than they do on health and education,” Ramaphosa said.

“Yet through global solidarity, by having fairer lending rules especially for several countries of the Global South, we can achieve our shared commitment.”

Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, said that through initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative and the BRI, China has contributed knowledge, resources, and technology to accelerate sustainable development worldwide, and she called the GGI “another promising step.”

“South-South cooperation enables countries to share practical, homegrown solutions that are easier to adapt and scale. Whether it is renewable energy from Latin America, digital education from Asia, or climate resilience practices from Africa, these exchanges accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda,” she said at the Vision China Forum co-hosted by China Daily and China’s UN Mission earlier this month.

*Source: Xinhua News Agency