Reform and Improve Global Governance for a Better Future

Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
At the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance

New York, May 28, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for participating in the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance.

We are meeting against an international landscape that is both fluid and turbulent. Countries around the world are calling for fairness and justice, yearning for solidarity and cooperation, and longing for peace and stability. Recognizing this, President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) last September. The GGI is underpinned by five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and real action. In less than a year, the GGI has been welcomed and supported by nearly 160 countries and international organizations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been established in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, with membership now exceeding 60 countries. In the spirit of equality and respect, extensive discussions have been held on reforming and improving global governance, and the following five points have been agreed.

First, we all agree on promoting greater democracy in international relations. We believe that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to independently choose their social system and development path, and to participate equally, make decisions equally, and benefit equally in the process of global governance.

Second, we all agree on upholding the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. We must ensure the equal and uniform application of international law and international rules, and oppose double standards and the imposition of one’s will on others.

Third, we all agree on safeguarding the centrality of the U.N. We must practice multilateralism, strengthen multilateral institutions, and reject unilateralism and power politics.

Fourth, we all agree on improving global governance through reform. We must narrow the North-South divide, and ensure that all people share in the fruits of development, with no country left behind.

Fifth, we all agree on resolving the practical issues that matter most to the international community. We must deliver tangible outcomes through concrete actions, and fashion a global governance that stands the test of time and the judgment of the people.

Dear Colleagues,

Reforming and improving global governance is the mission history has placed on our generation. We must keep faith, and make unremitting efforts in this direction. Building on existing consensus, the Chinese side would like to propose the following nine reform priorities for further discussion and consideration:

First, advancing reform to improve the efficiency of the U.N. Though not perfect, the U.N. remains the most authoritative platform for global governance. We should bear in mind that the purpose of reform is to strengthen the U.N., not weaken it. The process should be driven by the Member States and reform should be conducted in a fair, inclusive, and transparent manner. The Member States must fulfill their financial obligations. U.N. budget management and financial accountability must be strengthened. Efforts to streamline the Secretariat must be supported, and unnecessary procedures, documents and meetings should be reduced, so as to direct more resources to addressing the major issues, promote a culture of efficiency, and truly enhance responsiveness, service delivery, and implementation capacity.

Second, enhancing the authority and capability of the Security Council. We should strengthen the voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized countries, and prioritize redressing the historical injustice suffered by Africa. We should improve the Security Council’s Rules of Procedure, encourage equal-footed consultation, forge extensive consensus, and avoid forcing through contentious proposals or initiatives. The P5 should improve communication and coordination on major proposals, strive to seek consensus, and reduce contention and confrontation. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council must be opposed.

Third, adapting peacekeeping missions to the changing times. We should uphold and improve the three principles of peacekeeping, and better mandate and empower peacekeeping missions. We should both ensure the safety of peacekeepers, and enhance their capacity to build and maintain peace. We should support closer coordination between the U.N. and regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to create greater synergy in mediating regional issues.

Fourth, building international consensus on accelerating development. Development is the master key to all challenges. We must restore development to the heart of the U.N.’s agenda, and build balanced, inclusive, and win-win development partnerships. With an eye on next year’s Sustainable Development Summit, the U.N. should start planning for the post-2030 development agenda. The mandate mechanisms and resource commitments for development should be strengthened, and developed countries should deliver on their financing pledges. The international community needs to explore innovative ways to expand financing channels, so as to help address unbalanced and insufficient development. In tackling climate change, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and a fair, reasonable, and win-win global climate governance system be put in place. We should support the work of the U.N. Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, and deepen cooperation on critical mineral partnerships. We must steer the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation, and see that the gains of innovation are shared by all.

Fifth, recalibrating the direction of international human rights governance. We must reject the misguided notion of “human rights above sovereignty,” and make it clear that it is up to the people of each country to assess and improve their own human rights situation. We advocate the principles of fairness, objectivity, nonselectivity, and nonpoliticization of human rights, and call for constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. We should oppose imposing one’s own model or preferences on others, and reject the politicization, instrumentalization, and weaponization of human rights. Together, we should work toward a global human rights governance system that is just, equitable, and inclusive.

Sixth, deepening reform of the economic and financial governance system. We should move forward with the shareholding review of the World Bank expeditiously and realize a meaningful quota realignment of the IMF as soon as possible, so as to better reflect great transformation of the global economic landscape. It is essential to restore the normal functioning of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism and update WTO rules in light of new realities. The foundational role of the most-favored-nation treatment must be upheld, and the different economic systems and development stages of WTO members must be respected. We should promote more dialogue between the U.N. and newly established financial institutions such as the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, so that the voices and needs of the Global South are better heard.

Seventh, establishing rules for artificial intelligence governance. We should uphold a people-centered approach and the principle of AI for good, support the U.N. as the main channel, prevent the widening of the digital divide, and set clear guardrails for the military use and governance of AI. China has initiated the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and is implementing its AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All. This July, China will host the 2026 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. Your participation would be most welcome.

Eighth, strengthening governance in new frontiers such as cyberspace and outer space. We stand by the four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting openness and cooperation, and building a well-ordered environment. We support the U.N. in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. We should always use outer space for peaceful purposes, oppose an arms race in and the weaponization of outer space, and safeguard the shared rights and interests of all countries in the peaceful use of outer space.

Ninth, promoting intercivilizational exchanges, inclusivity, and mutual learning. We should actively expand global partnerships for intercivilizational dialogue. The International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations on June 10 offers a good opportunity for us all to draw inspiration from dialogue in order to tackle various global challenges. This will help us build a communication and dialogue platform that rises above geopolitical competition, bloc confrontation, and ideological prejudices, while overcoming misunderstandings and limited interactions.

Dear Colleagues,

I have outlined some of China’s ideas and suggestions for reforming global governance. The Group of Friends of Global Governance is a force for stability and justice in a turbulent world. We need to make good use of this platform and further strengthen it. China is ready to leverage the China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, among others, to develop more cooperation projects on global governance, strengthen capacity building for members of the Group of Friends, and help more countries participate in global governance. 

We also call for giving priority to increasing the weight of Global South countries in global governance reform, including encouraging more U.N. agencies and international organizations to be headquartered in developing countries, and appointing more outstanding talent from developing countries to leadership positions in international organizations.

This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development and the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the PRC’s lawful seat in the U.N. China will continue to champion multilateralism, and contribute to global governance through China’s own efforts. China will host the Xiong’an Global Governance Forum this fall. We look forward to welcoming all parties to the Xiong’an New Area, a city of the future, to develop ideas for reforming and improving global governance, and help build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you.