The Global Development Initiative (GDI) has received extensive support from the international community, and become a catalyst for international development cooperation in a world that has faced unprecedented challenges.

The GDI was first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2021, as part of China's efforts to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build a global community of development with a shared future.

"In these times of turbulence and transformation, the GDI has emerged as a platform for countries to come together, refocus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strive for a better future," said Awale Ali Kullane, Somali ambassador to China.

The ambassador said that Somalia firmly believes in the importance of international cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a more equitable and just world. He said the GDI aligns perfectly with Somalia's own national development agenda, and the country is eager to actively contribute to its implementation.

Addressing poverty and food insecurity, mitigating the effects of climate change, and reducing technology and digital gaps require urgent attention, Zimbabwean Ambassador to China Martin Chedondo said. These problems can never be solved by individual countries, thus the proposal for a global partnership under the GDI will surely accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, he added.

Chedondo said that predictable and sustainable financing for development remains a challenge, and it is assuring to note that the GDI offers concrete steps to mobilize multiple stakeholders and pool resources through innovative mechanisms.

With the goal of building a global development community and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the GDI calls for international commitment to adhere to development-first, innovation-driven and people-centered approaches and result-oriented actions, said Stephen Bainous Kargbo, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization representative to China.

The GDI holds great promise to address global challenges and the development needs of developing countries, he said.

How GDI was proposed and advanced

The GDI was proposed by Xi at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021. It was put forward with the hope that countries would work together to overcome the impact of COVID-19 on global development, as well as accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

China has called on all countries to increase their input in development, and advance cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response efforts and vaccines, development financing, climate change, green development, industrialization, the digital economy and connectivity.

Xi hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development virtually in June 2022, announcing that China will allocate more resources to global development cooperation.

China's efforts will include upgrading the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, adding $1 billion to the fund in addition to the $3 billion already committed, and increasing its input in the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. The two funds have become major financial platforms, through which China can support cooperation under the framework of the GDI.

The High-level Dialogue on Global Development yielded 32 deliverables, including the launch of the Digital Literacy and Skills Improvement Initiative, the promotion of connectivity among customs authorities and other supply chain stakeholders, and deepened research and development cooperation on vaccines to improve vaccine self-sufficiency in developing countries.

Sound implementation: report

The GDI is currently seeing sound implementation, with a number of relevant projects yielding tangible results, according to a report released Tuesday.

The Progress Report on the Global Development Initiative, which was compiled by the Center for International Knowledge on Development, recounted the major efforts in implementing the GDI as well as its achievements.

According to the report, half of the 32 concrete actions proposed in the list of Deliverables of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development have been accomplished or have yielded initial results.

The report also noted that, of the 50 practical cooperation projects included in the first list of the GDI project pool released in September 2022, more than 10 have been completed, while the rest are seeing steady progress.

On furthering the implementation of the GDI, the report proposed continuing the building of consensus on development, improving the allocation of resources, stepping up result-oriented cooperation and advancing development with knowledge.

It noted that while supporting food aid programs and post-pandemic recovery in developing countries, China has prioritized enhancing developing countries' capacity to cope with climate change. For example, the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center was unveiled in April 2022. China is also cooperating with relevant international organizations and other developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to combat desertification.

Speaking at the release ceremony of the report on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu reiterated China's commitment to development and support of the wider developing world.

"The Global Development Initiative is not a 'solo' of China, but a 'symphony' of all developing countries," said Ma.

He called for efforts to forge a stronger consensus over development among the international community, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, promote a rational allocation of global development resources, and focus on knowledge sharing over development.

(With input from Xinhua)