World leaders attending the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) called for strengthening global governance and multilateral cooperation to take on the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

At the opening plenary of the annual conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech via video, calling on all countries in Asia and beyond to "answer the call of our times, defeat the pandemic through solidarity, strengthen global governance, and keep pursuing a community with a shared future for mankind."

While acknowledging the upheaval brought on by "combined forces of changes and pandemic both unseen in a century," Xi pointed out that there is no fundamental change in the trend toward a multi-polar world.

Xi also cautioned against unilateralism and "the cold-war and zero-sum mentality," and said that "bossing others around or meddling in others' internal affairs would not get any support."

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Highlights: President Xi's speech at Boao Forum for Asia opening plenary

Echoing calls for enhancing multilateral cooperation and inclusiveness to guard against the spread of protectionism, South Korean President Moon Jae-in stressed the importance of international solidarity and cooperation for coexistence and new prosperity in the post-coronavirus era.

Solidarity between countries remains important when the world is shifting from deep recession to recovery, along with digital transformation and the necessity of green investments, said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who called for further strengthening global cooperation.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern highlighted the importance of international institutions in the fight against COVID-19, and said she looks forward to meeting President Xi at this year's APEC summit hosted by her country.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon noted that while COVID-19 vaccines are getting to market faster, developing nations risk lagging behind.

Striking an optimistic note, Yousef Abdullah Albenyan, vice chairman and CEO of SABIC, said 2021 could see the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 2,600 delegates, including government officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from more than 60 countries and regions are attending the event themed, "A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation," which is scheduled from April 18 to 21.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the BFA, a non-governmental and non-profit international organization founded in 2001 to promote regional economic integration and development in Asia.