The Global South calls for improvements and changes to the current global governance system, positively evaluates the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, and expects China to play a greater role in the global governance process, according to a CGTN survey covering 9,182 respondents in 47 countries.

Regarding the most pressing issues in current global governance, survey respondents from the Global South ranked poverty and inequality (74 percent), food security (70.9 percent) and regional security and terrorism (63.6 percent) as their top three concerns.

Meanwhile, 73.2 percent of the respondents said developed countries have not completely fulfilled their responsibilities and obligations in international affairs, while 81.9 percent of the respondents called on the United Nations to pay more attention to the interests and demands of Global South countries.

In the survey, 76.2 percent of the respondents from Global South countries called for reforming the global governance system rather than starting all over again. They said they expected to improve global governance by increasing the transparency of decision-making in international organizations, strengthening the representation of developing countries, and promoting international cooperation and coordination, especially by strengthening South-South cooperation in economy, technology and poverty reduction.

As the largest developing country and an important member of the Global South, China has always been committed to enhancing the voice and representation of Global South countries in international affairs. In September this year, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative. Its core concept has been widely recognized by respondents from Global South countries: 92.9 percent of the respondents agreed that all countries should participate equally in international affairs and jointly establish a fair and reasonable international order; 78.8 percent of the respondents said that the international system with the United Nations at its core should be firmly upheld; 86.6 percent of the respondents pointed out that development is the top priority for developing countries; 91.5 percent of the respondents agreed that countries around the world should adhere to action-oriented approach, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly promote global development.

The survey was conducted by CGTN in collaboration with Renmin University of China through the Institute for International Communication in the New Era, targeting respondents from around the world. The respondent countries included major developed countries and Global South countries. All respondents are aged 18 or above, and the samples are in line with the age and gender distribution of the national census of each country.