Editor's note: Hayat Bangash is a freelance columnist on international affairs with degrees in business administration and war studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Boao Town in Qionghai City in south China's Hainan Province is seeing a flurry of activity from March 28 to 31. The event is the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference 2023 which brings leaders of international organizations and businesses together and acts as a platform for exchanging ideas and building a multilateral future for the region.  

The forum was founded in 2001 and has since served as a bridge between governments and non-governmental organizations where they discuss possibilities of economic integration in Asia and sustainable growth for Asia and the world. 

A major theme of the event this year is inclusiveness, which has been the hallmark of most development approaches adopted in Asia. The collective psyche of Asian nations has given rise to effective and inclusive organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, more recently, free trade regimes like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).  

Apart from these, the China-launched Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been one of the most inclusive mega projects ever launched in the world. The BRI has fostered this spirit while transcending geographic boundaries and geopolitics. It has proved to be a model of international cooperation that has brought nations of multiple ideologies, political systems, and development models together. The BRI, as it approaches its 10 year anniversary, was the brainchild of one country but its inherent inclusiveness has given opportunities to the entire world. 

While the participants at the BFA are debating the significance of inclusiveness, there have risen many impediments to this concept in recent times. Attempts at drawing ideological lines, group politics, and bloc confrontations can not only divide the world but also hamper global development. Likewise, waves of protectionism need to be discouraged and the Cold War mentality of the past needs to be shunned, since they are obsolete concepts in today's globalized world that thrives on inclusive growth.  

Another theme of this year's BFA is regional and global cooperation. In the pursuit of common development and a shared future for mankind, cooperation can be undertaken bilaterally as well as multilaterally. For this purpose, connectivity plays an integral role as it enhances interaction and collaboration among stakeholders. It was the advancement in connectivity that leveled up cooperation beyond borders, engendered free trade, and set the pace for globalization.  

As various actors cooperate at a regional and global scale, different cultural and civilizational codes invariably come into contact. They can benefit from each other by appreciating their differences while finding common grounds for cooperation. When different models of development come together with the intent to collaborate at forums like the BFA, they bring forth innovative ideas for solving global problems.  

The BFA is a testament to China's willingness to promote multilateral organizations that form the backbone of international and regional cooperation. China advocates cooperation in Asia because it is itself a truly Asian nation. It has thrived on the continent for 5,000 years owing to its deep roots here and wants the entire region to enter the Asian century of prosperity. 

Other Asian nations, with a sense of community, have also broken the shackles of poverty through cooperation and regional integration. At the BFA annual conference of 2022, participants from these nations had expressed their full confidence in regional agreements like the RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in uplifting the regional economy. 

Striving for the consolidation of consensus at BFA is key to building cooperation. With the challenges of looming fragmentation, consensus on core issues will ensure the continuity of globalization. The positive impact of global economic growth will in turn be experienced by all those who participate in this process.  

The BFA is also exploring the theme of security this year. As it develops a vision of common and sustainable security, the need to build a balanced global security architecture will be amply highlighted. In addition to the conventional concept of security, challenges of non-traditional issues in this domain also need to be effectively met.  

At the last annual conference of the BFA, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the Global Security Initiative (GSI), an endeavor to eliminate the root causes of conflict in today's volatile era through durable peace and development. The GSI encourages countries to adapt to the changing international environment while upholding the spirit of solidarity.  

The collaborative approach to security advocated at the BFA stems from China's adherence to peaceful development that is enshrined in its constitution. Unlike the theory of the "Clash of Civilizations," it is not always necessary that a powerful nation becomes a hegemon. As China spreads its arms in its process of opening-up to the world, it prioritizes the principles of mutual benefits and common development.  

This year's BFA is yet another opportunity for bright minds to discuss the future of the region and the world. As global peace and development are facing major challenges, the forum will contribute positively to generate creative solutions. 

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