Revitalizing G20: Major powers must shed Cold War mentality for unity

Editor's note: Xu Feibiao, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a senior researcher and the director of the Center for BRICS and G20 Studies of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR). The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Since the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, the global landscape has grown increasingly disheartening and unsettling. In terms of security, major power rivalries have escalated across the board, and regional conflicts are flaring up one after another. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, "We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world," and we are "facing unprecedented challenges." Echoing this concern, Jordan's King Abdullah II said, "I cannot recall a time of greater peril than this."

In terms of development, the global economy is struggling to regain momentum. Since 2022, the global economic growth has consistently fallen short of potential growth rates, while global trade and investment remain sluggish. Sustainable development is also facing setbacks. According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023, "Progress on more than 50 percent of targets of the SDGs is weak and insufficient; on 30 percent, it has stalled or gone into reverse." Meanwhile, threats such as climate change, environmental degradation, pandemics and terrorism continue to mount.

As a pivotal platform for global governance, the G20 plays a crucial role in addressing these global challenges. Since 2008, the G20 has been instrumental in resolving global economic, financial, and international security issues. First, it provides a multilateral platform for dialogue and consultation. G20 members account for over 80 percent of global economic output. Their discussions and coordination efforts have a stabilizing effect on global affairs. Second, the G20 delivers solutions. On issues ranging from macroeconomic coordination and reforms of multilateral institutions to financial security, international taxation, digital economy and global debt, the G20 has put forward valuable proposals that have helped address global challenges.

In recent years, growing tensions among major countries has made it increasingly difficult for countries to reach consensus. The rise of populism and protectionism in some countries has further eroded the foundation of G20 cooperation, causing shared understanding on cooperation to unravel. Despite this, major countries have not completely moved away from cooperation. Both the United States and leading European countries still include cooperative elements in their diplomatic strategies with China. This duality has created a paradoxical situation for the G20: on one hand, its influence and role in global governance have weakened; on the other hand, progress continues among member states in areas such as sustainable development, international taxation, public health, environmental protection, and anti-corruption, though the scope for consensus and collective action is shrinking.

As all countries share the same planet and face increasingly urgent global challenges, no country can tackle these challenges alone. Only by working together can the world find a way forward. The importance of the G20 is more pronounced now than ever before, and how to restore its central role in global governance is key to ensuring both global development and security.

First, major countries must step up and take leadership responsibilities. History has shown that the continuity of international mechanisms hinges on the willingness of major powers to cooperate. As long as these countries are committed to cooperation, the G20 will continue to function effectively. The underlying cause of the current problems within the G20 lies in the U.S.'s inability to view China's rise, along with that of other emerging powers, in a rational light. Clinging to the belief that "a strong country must seek hegemony" and resorting to a Cold War mindset in handling relations with other countries, the U.S. has consistently tried to obstruct China's development. This approach is not only futile but also destabilizes the world and ultimately harms U.S. interests. However, persuading the U.S. to change this behavior is no easy task.

The silver lining is that China, unlike traditional Western powers, remains committed to safeguarding a multilateral system with the UN at its core, following the path of peaceful development, and advocating for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China calls for a new type of international relations, upholds the principles of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits," and remains open to cooperation with the United States. These efforts and principles are gaining broader recognition and respect from countries all over the world, offering hope for the G20 to regain its relevance in global governance.

Second, focus should be on practical cooperation by gradually expanding the foundation for cooperation within the G20. Since major countries have not completely given up on the prospect of cooperation, countries should take this opportunity to build consensus and focus on shared interests. Common concerns such as climate change, disaster prevention and mitigation, public health and disease prevention, biodiversity, and marine pollution provide natural avenues for cooperation. By deepening engagement in these areas, countries can broaden the scope of cooperation within the G20 and generate a "spillover" effect that gradually revitalizes its cooperative potential.

Brazil, the host country of this year's G20 summit, places great importance on the event, and invests considerable resources in its careful preparation. The summit will focus on globally relevant issues, such as fairness and equality, sustainable development, and the reform of international institutions, with the goal of delivering tangible outcomes in practical cooperation. As a major country from the Global South with good relations with both China and the United States, Brazil is also keen to partner with other "middle-ground" countries and play a bridging role, helping to build as much consensus as possible. Therefore, despite some uncertainties, the G20 Summit remains highly anticipated by the global community.

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