The UN General Assembly, the main policy-making body of the UN, was created under the UN Charter – signed in San Francisco in 1945 – which outlined its key functions, including "promoting international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, educational and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion."

On January 10, 1946, the UN convened the first session of the General Assembly in London with delegates representing 51 nations attending the session, wherein the scope and purpose of the United Nations was defined.

Today, as the world grapples with overlapping challenges – including wars, conflicts and natural disasters – millions of people continue to face poverty, hunger, discrimination, and injustice, making the need for the UN General Assembly to play a more prominent role increasingly evident.

In September 2025, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York, under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," highlighting the urgency of delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation.

Some Western countries, drawing on long-established advantages, continue to dominate major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance. By contrast, Global South countries – accounting for more than 80 percent of the world's population and over 40 percent of global economic output – remain underrepresented in international organizations, where their legitimate concerns are often inadequately heard and insufficiently addressed.

As certain countries have placed unilateralism and protectionism above international principles, the voices from the Global South countries calling for fairness and justice are louder than ever at the Assembly.

African leaders stressed that foreign policy must serve the needs of the African continent and the Global South. Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean repeatedly underscored the rights to survival and development, rejecting power politics and external interference. Asian leaders warned that without the broad participation of the Global South, a more just and equitable international order would be impossible to build.

Together, these calls send a clear message: the voice of the Global South must be heard.

China's actions

Against this backdrop, China's principles and actions stand out as particularly valuable. From announcing more ambitious new targets for climate action, to launching thousands of "small and beautiful" livelihood projects to support development in Global South countries, China has translated words into concrete action, offering a vivid illustration of China's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Notably, in September 2025, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) – continuing on the trajectory set by the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative.

In line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the GGI aims to foster closer solidarity and coordination within the international community and enable a more robust response to the challenges of the times.

It calls for adhering to sovereign equality, directly targeting the shortcomings of a system in which "a few countries call the shots," and affirms that the destiny of the world should be shaped collectively by all peoples. Regardless of size, strength or level of development, all countries are equal members of the international community, with the right to participate in global governance.

Since its launch, the GGI has elicited swift and positive responses from the international community. Over 150 countries and international organizations have expressed their welcome and support for the initiative.

In line with the needs of multilateral coordination, China firmly supports the UN in playing a central role. It has increased investment in the China-UN Peace and Development Fund and has been steadily advancing related cooperation. In addition, together with more than 30 countries, China helped set up the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, contributing to the maintenance of global peace and stability through the rule of law.

This initiative does not presuppose any dominance by one country over another," said Igor Shestakov, director of the Oy Ordo Centre for Expert Initiatives, adding that this approach forms an important foundation for improving the global governance system.

"The global governance system proposed by the Chinese side should, in principle, reduce the potential for conflicts in the world and is based, first and foremost, on dialogue and consensus, not on confrontation," Shestakov added.