Editor's note: Bereket Sisay, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, writes on international affairs with a special focus on Africa. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The 78th United Nations General Assembly, which brought together world leaders and representatives for more than a week of high-level debate at UN Headquarters in New York, ended on September 26. Several world leaders have expressed concern about the growing global challenges, while at the same time proposing measures they believe are crucial to halting the problem.

In a seemingly similar approach, almost all countries, while rejecting unilateral modus operandi, have opted for a unified and common approach to these problems, which range from hunger, security threats, climate change and the wider geopolitical tensions that plague the world.

Against this backdrop, developing countries have come together in a more unified voice to further strengthen and promote their voice against injustice and mistreatment perpetuated at the global level. The unified voice has once again not only exposed the inherent problem entrenched in the international system but also conveyed the message that leaving the Global South behind would have a huge impact on reversing the roll towards a better future. Even more so, suppressing the long overdue aspirations of developing countries is nothing more than agreeing to prolong the by-products of such maladministration.

Ensuring genuine multilateralism

As the world suffers from a multitude of challenges, the global governance system has become stuck in an outdated formula for dealing with such difficulties. The UN Security Council and Bretton Woods Institutions are case in point in the row of multitudes of organizations. These institutions are more evident in explaining the gloomy image of the skewed world order that goes against the very value of establishing principles.

As a result, the global system risks becoming part of the problem rather than a solution to the world's challenges, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged in his address to the General Assembly. He further noted that "we cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions do not reflect the world as it is" – thus calling for reform as the only viable option.

In the same vein, developing countries have collectively called for a reform of the global governance system in an effort to restructure the current status quo and enable genuine multilateralism that is inclusive, representative, and advancing the interests of all nations.

Promoting sustainable climate finance

Climate change is evident, and its effects are more pronounced in developing countries, which contribute less to this colossal crisis. However, developing countries have called on developed countries to step up their efforts to reduce emissions and ensure climate justice for developing countries, which are paying an enormous price in the form of recurrent droughts and floods.

There was a joint call on the Global North to meet their $100-billion climate finance commitments, which are so far falling short. There was also a call to further strengthen support for increased investment in energy system transformation. There was also a call to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters, as agreed at the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

By doing so, the meeting has served as an opportune time to bring out the victim side of climate change and make the world at least more concerned about the lives of millions of vulnerable people.

Forging common development

At the halfway point since the launch of 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, despite progress, most of the goals are at risk due to multiple and interlocking crises, resulting from the combined factors of climate change, pandemic and economic downturns. As a result, millions of people, especially in developing countries, remain trapped in poverty and face a host of social and economic challenges.

In order to ensure that no one is left behind, developing countries have reaffirmed their commitment to redouble their efforts to achieve these development goals, while at the same time using the arena as a rallying cry to call for continued support for development assistance and better synergy among development actors to achieve shared development.

Addressing the assembly, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said that development should be put at the center of the international agenda, and the benefits of development should reach every country and every individual in a more equitable way. Shared development is an important part of the global common agenda, which has a huge impact on the transformation of millions of people around the world.

In short, we can simply conclude that the developing countries have collectively voiced their concerns on a global common agenda at the 78th UN General Assembly, which has caught the attention of the world and is driving the cause in its own favor, as it carries indisputable facts that can change the globe for good.

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