GGI: Emerging world order and Global South development

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The recent rise in unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism greatly affirms the ln-equality of sovereign states in current global governance system.

Chinese President, XI Jinping at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) highlighted the dangers of sovereign inequality when he proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), noting that ‘’staying committed to sovereign equality’’ is the foremost premise of global governance.

He said the essence of sovereign equality is that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have their sovereignty and dignity respected, their domestic affairs free from external interference, right to independently choose their social system and development path, right to participate in, make decisions in and bents from the global governance process as equals.

Truth be told, Global Governance Initiative as proposed by Xi is a strategic constructive idea aimed at reshaping diplomatic relations in the new era focusing on strategic reform of the international governance system.

On Wednesday, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.” Which is calling for joint efforts of all nations of the world to build a more just and equitable global governance system, contributing China’s wisdom and solution to bridging global governance deficit and pointing the direction forward for humanity in the new era.

In essence, the GGI is aimed at empowering oppressed nations, asserting that every country has the right to determine its own political future, thereby fostering global equality and freedom. It means that China also wants a world that will be more balanced, equitable and fairer for all.
The initiative also advances the global equality agenda by affirming the accountability of developed nations and urging them to provide technology and public goods to countries in need. Raising this issue to a new international level is essential.

For countries in Global South and Africa, there is general consensus that China’s form of the new world order mirrors the aspirations of the United Nations better than what we have before. The question to explore is how will Global South and Africa benefit from Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Beijing favours five characteristics of the world order through its foreign policy engagements. First, China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is premised on the idea of sovereign equality. Here China is not promoting another idea of major powers, but a new world order where sovereign nations are all equal. The radical implication of sovereign equality could then be that all countries in the world should have equal power in deciding world affairs by staying committed to sovereign equality.

Although, sovereign equality is a fundamental principle of the United Nation, but it has been more rhetorical than practical.

GGI also emphasized “staying committed to international rule of law”. Which has been the biggest flaw of the present international arrangement. International politics is guided by flagrant violations of international rule of law. This is evident on how a major power has violated the rights of some countries especially in the Global South and Africa. This callous abuse of power in global affairs will take more than a concept note to change.

It will require radical retraining of foreign policy bureaucrats and the redesign of global economic and political institutions in a manner that gives weaker and poorer country a kind of leverage which I am of the conviction the GGI can offer. It points to the fact that President Xi’s vision will require so much cooperation from Global South and Africa nations to achieve a permanent world peace and stability.

Xi noted that staying committed to multilateralism “is the basic pathway of global governance. Multilateralism is the core concept of the existing international system and international order. The principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit must be upheld”.

This sits well with the views of economic and political equality and the belief that nations should have voices in the governance of the global commons. By extension, bear the burden of global governance proportionate to the benefits they get.

This should be a foundation to build a better and fairer world. It will enhance the equality of voice of the suppressed global south nations. China and Global South nations need to collaborate more as a way of achieving this restructuring of global geopolitics.

The fourth element of GGI is ‘staying committed to people-centered approach’ to global governance. It is based on economic development that are focused on human welfare.

It builds on the idea of human development index and the ideas of social and economic rights. With this as core idea of a new world order, the global south would be able to share better in the reward of global production.

Xi’s vision of the world ‘Staying committed to real results”. Makes GGI more practical and pushed it away from mere babbling. Many global initiatives have suffered given the fact that people doubt the commitment and political will to drive results.

GGI argues that the new world order if it would make sense must be one that solves real problems. These real problems are pervasive poverty, inequality between countries and within countries, wealth distribution, and environmental pollution etc. China has shown enough commitment to solving these real problems that mostly bedevil Global South nations and not brandish rhetoric.

Having learnt of China’s honest desire to build a fairer and stable global order for mankind through GGI, the Global South should engage this initiative as China is promoting concepts that can enable countries in global south to have more effective voices in global geopolitics and also participate more in shaping institutions that enable prosperity and human development based on this practical realty, the global south nations have to support GGI initiative hook line and sinker for a more just, stable and equitable world.

China flourished because its leaders, accepted the imperative of economic growth and aligned its policies and economic programs towards high and sustained economic growth.

It created political stability and nurtured entrepreneurial energies that led to massive growth in productivity which it is now trying to create for mankind.

Predicated on the above, global South nations should look up to China not only by adopting GGI, but on the lessons of economic transformation and leverage on global governance imitative that China wisely promotes.

The new world order by China will benefit the world, but will favour the global south nations more if only they learn the right lessons from China and become proactive on issues of reform.

As GGI is getting endorsement from nations of the world, Global South countries should rightly take an active part in multilateral cooperation, engage deeply in global governance reform under the framework of the four global initiatives, and seize historic opportunities to achieve long-term, sustainable development.

GGI has opened up new opportunities for global south nations to have a voice in international arena, have visible representation, enhance development partnerships, deepen relations, expand technological cooperation and build a more balanced international order.
GGI initiative has provided China and Global South nations a common ground for a new partnership that will reshape the relationship dynamics in a multipolar world.

The introduction of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), will certainly place China and Global South on the strategic side of history to engage in discussions across all issues of partnership and cooperation on how they can jointly promote actions that will promote a free, fairer and stable world.

Most African countries have not only adopted GGI, but have begun effective engagement on its possible gains and the need for more proactive discussion to really imbibe its provisions wholistically.

Nigeria as the biggest economy and most populous nation in Africa made the first move by appreciating China barely one week after President Xi proposed it. The acceptance came through a press statement released by Nigerian Foreign Ministry.

Nigerian Government conveyed its appreciation to the government of the People’s Republic of China for launching the New Global Governance Initiative. It also noted the imperative and timeliness coming ahead of 80th Anniversary of the United Nations.

GGI will go beyond diplomatic relations and see need for a constructive strategic collaboration between China and global south to achieve shared priorities by initiating strategic collaborations to actionable plans that advances the initiative for the common good of humanity.

The uncomfortable reality is that the global order has evolved beyond an era dominated by unilateralism and protectionism. The world now demands cooperative partnerships based on mutual respect, inclusiveness, diverse beliefs and cultures, and fairness.

These values are essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and laying the foundation for global peace, security, and prosperity. Global South nations should work tirelessly to achieve a peaceful and stable global system by supporting the GGI as pronounced by President Xi.

Above all, GGI is both timely and crucial and responding to the common aspirations of people in global south countries and meeting the urgent needs of the world. With new uncertainties multiplying, the GGI has been welcomed and supported by leaders of Global South countries and international organizations. It is gradually gathering momentum and getting recognition from the international community.