In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, technological upheaval, and widening global inequality, China has proposed a new framework that seeks to reshape the mechanisms of international cooperation. The Global Governance Initiative, unveiled by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting on September 1, signalled Beijing’s ambition to spearhead reforms in how the world is governed.
Positioned as a response to the perceived shortcomings of current multilateral systems, the GGI advocates for a more balanced and inclusive international order. President Xi, addressing the gathering in the northern port city, emphasised the need for global governance rooted in fairness, cooperation, and shared responsibility. He called on nations to work together toward a just and equitable system—one that prioritises collective progress and mutual respect.
The initiative emerges at a time when many developing nations are voicing frustration over unequal representation in global institutions. Building on previous Chinese-led proposals, such as the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, the GGI goes further by calling for systemic change. China has made clear that it intends to focus on areas where global governance is either lacking or under strain, including international financial architecture, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, trade, and outer space. A renewed commitment to the authority of the United Nations is also central to the proposal.
Although a comprehensive roadmap for implementation is yet to be released, the GGI has already begun to resonate beyond Asia. Countries, such as Nigeria, have publicly welcomed the initiative, seeing in it a potential shift toward a more representative global architecture. In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 11, Nigeria described the GGI as a timely and thoughtful response to today’s international challenges. The government noted the initiative’s strong alignment with both its domestic priorities and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Support for the GGI appears to be growing among nations seeking a stronger voice on the world stage. For many in the Global South, the proposal reflects a long-standing desire for a governance model that genuinely accounts for their interests and perspectives. The emphasis on sovereign equality, the rule of law, multilateral cooperation, people-centred development and focus on taking key actions has struck a chord with governments wary of being sidelined in major global decisions.
As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in October 2025, the GGI is expected to become a focal point in discussions about the future of multilateralism. Whether it succeeds in driving meaningful reform or remains largely symbolic will depend on the readiness of both developed and developing nations to embrace a more inclusive vision of global governance—one that reflects the realities of a changing world.
Abraham Chukwuka, an international affairs commentator, writes from Abuja
