Practicing True Multilateralism, Building a Just and Equitable Global Governance System

By Aidoghie Paulinus

On February 18, 2025 local time, under the initiative of China as the rotating President of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for February, the Security Council held a high-level meeting themed ‘Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance.’

The meeting was chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres delivered a briefing on the situation. High-level representatives, including foreign ministers from over 100 countries, overing embers of the U.N. ecurity Council, ere present.

In his remarks, Wang said the year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, adding that the past 80 years is a period of accelerated advancement in world multipolarity and economic globalization, a period that has witnessed people across the world forging ahead and meeting challenges together, and also a period during which the Global South has been rising and growing in strength.

Wang elaborated on China’s four proposals.

“First, upholding sovereign equality. In advancing global governance, all countries participate as equals, make decisions as equals, and benefit as equals. Members must respect the development paths chosen independently by people of all countries, uphold the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and not impose one’s will upon others. Members must practice international rule of law, ensure the effective implementation of international law, and reject double standards and selective application. Resolutions of the Security Council are binding, and should be observed by all countries.

“Second, upholding fairness and justice. International affairs should no longer be monopolized by a small number of countries. Countries in the Global South have the right to speak up for and defend their legitimate rights and interests.

“Third, upholding solidarity and coordination. Countries should commit to the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, replace confrontation with coordination, prevent lose-lose through win-win cooperation, and break down small circles with greater solidarity. Members cannot just sit by and watch multilateral institutions become dysfunctional and ineffective due to their own failure to cooperate.

“Fourth, upholding an action-oriented approach. In the face of protracted wars, loss of innocent lives, and challenges brought by new technologies, U.N. agencies should seek solutions rather than chant slogans. It is important to implement the U.N.’s Pact for the Future with coordinated efforts, i.e. to turn the road map into a construction plan and a wonderful vision into substantive actions. It is vital to uphold the two-State solution, press for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, and bring lasting peace and security to the Middle East,” Wang said.