Online Reporter
Tichaona Zindoga
The current multi-layered global crisis, epitomised by the wars and insecurity in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa; climate catastrophe, emerging threats and the apparent powerlessness of the United Nations, has become a cause for concern.
The world could not sink any lower. The above issues are of universal concern, including to Zimbabwe.
The undermining, denudation and de-fanging of the UN is worrying – and it has been a race to the bottom for a long time. Western countries under the United States of America – referred to as the Washington Consensus – have lost effective global leadership.
For decades, the rules based order revolved around the United Nations system, but ironically, it is Washington itself that is now at the foreforont of dismantling and deligitimising the body through a range of tactics, including defying resolutions, defunding agencies, criminalising United Nations civil servants, and disregarding diplomatic norms.
The world is therefore in a dangerous lacuna or interregnum – which should no longer be allowed to continue.
The release of white paper, “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions”, by China recently is a reminder that there is a need for a global reset in the international system so that the current situation cannot drag further, leaving destruction in its wake.
First proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2022, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is a framework to make international institutions more representative, amplify the voice of the Global South, improve collective responses to transnational challenges, and promote a more just, equitable, and stable international order based on consultation, shared responsibility, and mutually beneficial development rather than power politics.
The Global Governance Initiative upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and embraces a global governance vision characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. It is built on five core concepts: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions. By addressing the crux and root causes of crises and challenges, the initiative provides sound guidance for building a more just and equitable global governance system.
The white paper emphasises that existing global governance system no longer adequately reflects contemporary international realities because it suffers from deficits in peace, development, trust, and representation, particularly for developing countries. The white paper argues that growing geopolitical tensions, unilateralism, protectionism, and emerging global challenges require reforms grounded in sovereign equality, adherence to international law, genuine multilateralism, people-centred development, and practical cooperation under the central role of the United Nations.
The times call for a model of global governance that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
“As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, we need multilateralism, the rule of law and more effective governance now more than ever,” the paper says.
It outlines a number of impertatives to reset and reclaim international order.
First, it is proposed that the world must firmly uphold the UN’s central role – which is an important proposition, because China does not intend to do away with the UN system, but to strengthen it from its current degradation.
China is proposing to implement the “Initiative for UN Reform” on the UN’s 80th Anniversary to make the UN more efficient and dynamic, strengthen the Security Council’s capacity to act in safeguarding peace and security, and collectively oppose any unilateral moves bypassing the UN Security Council.
Second, China will push for de-escalation of regional hotspots as it insists on resolving conflicts and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, and achieving lasting peace through universal security via political solutions to crises in Ukraine, Gaza and other flashpoints.
Third, China says it will stay committed to open development and resolutely defend the WTO-based multilateral trading system, support liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, keep global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and make economic globalization more inclusive and beneficial for all.
Fourth, China says it will unlock the pivotal role of the Global South and “advance high-quality cooperation within the expanded BRICS grouping and the SCO family, push forward reforms of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and steadily boost the voice and representation of developing countries in international affairs”.
It pledges to support Global South nations in hosting multilateral summits and shaping multilateral agendas to pool their collective strength.
Lastly, China seeks to address gaps and deficits in governance systems. It says faced with new challenges in emerging domains, the world must update governance mechanisms and fill regulatory gaps. In this regard, China has pledged to ensure climate action stays on track, uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and drive the global shift to green and low-carbon development.
‘All humanity’
As noted above, the challenges and problems posed by the current degradation of the global system, affect everyone, including Zimbabwe.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, during a press conference on the white paper noted that reforming the system benefits everyone.
“Global governance concerns the well-being of all humanity, and reforming and refining the global governance system is a shared aspiration of all countries,” Wang said.
He sounded the alarm by invoking a powerful analogy, saying, “Global governance is like sailing upstream — either we forge ahead, or we fall behind.”
Critically, the GGI also expands the practical framework for building a community with a shared future for mankind espoused by China, following the proposal of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative by China in recent times.
According to China, these four comprehensive Chinese proposals complement and reinforce one another, covering development, security, civilizations and governance respectively; and form a complete framework of action, providing clear strategic guidance for advancing a community with a shared future for mankind.
They are thus truly global public goods, standing in stark contrast to the destruction being wrought by the West.
Zimbabwe and other Global South countries, as well as the larger international community, must rally behind China in pushing for the reform of the international system through the GGI.
Encouragingly, Zimbabwe and China share these values and concepts – anchored on multilateralism – and have agreed at multilateral levels for a long time.
Recently, Zimbabwe hosted the 4th Meeting of National Coordinators of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Amon Murwira, reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, emphasising sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution, dialogue and respect for international law.
Zimbabwe’s recent ascent to the UN Security Council non-permanent seat, supported by China – among other countries – lends more weight for the reform of the UN, particularly in ensuring that Global South voices are heard.
*Tichaona Zindoga is a journalist and expert on China-Africa affairs. He is the director of Ruzivo Media & Resource Centre, a local think tank.
Sidumisile Mabena