At a time when the world is grappling with complex challenges—social unrest, economic hegemony, and unhealthy politics—a robust global governance system appears the only panacea.

This was the position of experts as they convened recently in Abuja to discuss global socio-political intrigues.

The prevailing unwholesome scenarios playing around the world are not completely occasioned by natural tendencies but are majorly orchestrated by leadership idiosyncrasies at the global level. These, no doubt, threaten human peace and, if left untamed, may further destabilise the sequence of events by creating disharmony among the peoples of the world.

By global governance, one refers to the systems, rules, and standards that guide international relations and cooperation among countries, international organisations, and other stakeholders in global development and peace. It envisages collaboration among nations towards addressing the world’s challenges, with international institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund formulating inclusive, equitable, and people-oriented policies.

The primary goals of global governance include the promotion of peace and security in such a manner that conflicts are prevented; fostering economic development; the protection of human rights by upholding the dignity and well-being of people; as well as decisively combating global natural challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and any other issue of urgent global interest.

Unfortunately, the inability of international institutions to balance national interests with global needs, guarantee fair representation and participation, and effectively address complex global challenges through cooperation, diplomacy, and other relevant tools has led to the escalation of natural occurrences and hostilities across the globe.

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and his country, therefore, deserve commendation and accolades for amplifying the call for efficient and enduring global governance.

By proposing the GGI, Xi boldly stepped forward to expose existing discrepancies in global governance, especially the forcelessness of the Global South in the essential mechanisms for global governance, irrespective of their contributions to the world’s economy and overall development.

The gap in international relations and its governance processes has, over the years, denied the essential contributions and cumulative insight of the majority of the world’s stakeholders.

The initiative, which was proposed by President Xi on September 1, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO Plus) meeting held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre, among other necessities, targets necessary reforms at the global institutions’ level.

That GGI was tied to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, having been established on October 24, 1945, speaks volumes of Chinese attention to history and its hand in shaping the future.

Unfortunately, 80 years down the lane, the global institutions entrusted with the responsibilities of safeguarding member countries, especially the less powerful nations, from socio-economic hegemony appear overwhelmed, while blatant disregard for territorial sovereignty permeates the world.

One of the greatest benefits of the proposed GGI, as canvassed by several well-meaning citizens of the world, therefore, is the expected drastic reform of the institutions to enshrine inclusivity and mutual respect.

As aptly proposed by China, there should be a commitment to peaceful coexistence and the strengthening of confidence in a manner that guarantees a win-win situation. Beyond the proposal, China has also volunteered to work with all countries to ensure that a more just and equitable global governance system is enshrined. This, perhaps, may be one of the fastest lanes to its long-time clamour for a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Global Governance Initiative stands on five solid pillars of sovereign equality, international rule of law, practical multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and taking real actions.

Through these pillars, China canvases a global governance structure that promotes sovereign equality by ensuring that all countries, irrespective of size, strength, and wealth, are equal participants in decision-making and beneficiaries in global governance. It also seeks greater effort towards entrenching a democratic culture in international relations to the extent of amplifying the voice of developing countries by increasing their representation in international institutions.

The second pillar, which dwells on the need to abide by international rule of law, clearly defines the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognised basic norms of international relations. It holds that international law and rules should be applied equally and uniformly, without double standards or a few countries imposing them upon others.

The GGI expresses the need to uphold the vision of global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contributions for shared benefit—one that strengthens solidarity and coordination, opposes unilateralism, and firmly safeguards the status and authority of the UN to enable it to play the expected key role in global governance.

Another reason for seeking reform of the global governance system is to make governance more people-oriented—one that recognises people of every nation as equal players and, by so doing, gradually bridges the gulf between the Global North and the South.

There is also a need to transcend rhetoric in addressing world challenges. The new GGI supports systematic and holistic coordination of global actions and the ability to fully mobilise resources, strive for more visible outcomes, and enhance practical cooperation to prevent the governance system from disintegration.

Since no individual or country gives what it does not have, it is not surprising, therefore, that in the past 24 years, the SCO has adhered faithfully to the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilisations, and pursuit of common development, thereby setting the pace for practical and exemplary global governance.

The fact that China’s regional affairs are inclusively discussed and provide platforms and mechanisms for actions built together and cooperation that benefits all buttresses the possibility of a new global governance system if players are determined and resolute.

The SCO has drawn inspiration from the lessons of the past and their contemporary implications. According to experts, the foundation of the initiative was laid by issues emanating from rigorous interrogations of the prevailing existential reality and international conditions—a circumstance that promotes survival of the fittest and emphasises living before essence.

The GGI is therefore a clarion call for objective representation of every country and for the collective consensus of the global family that defies factional coalitions and bloc loyalty, having been conspicuously made evident that, no matter how powerful some countries may be, they may not possess adequate mechanisms to deal with emerging challenges of the international system exclusively.

As the wave of development blows across the globe, even the once-relegated developing nations are experiencing subtle but accelerated progress in science and technology. That is the reality of the Global South, especially China, which has astronomically leapt into the mainstream of contemporary global power.

Yet, the beauty of China’s development is the positive impact that country has made on other continents and respective countries of the world, including Africa. By so doing, it has assumed, without self-gratification, international responsibilities as the emerging big brother of the Global South—not only with the deployment of its resources to translate visions into visible, actionable development but also by building a reputation for seeking an inclusive world that is peaceful, equitable, and conducive for all.

Therefore, the five GGI concepts, which are already set in motion in China, should be considered imperative for the new global order. The fact that the SCO has increasingly become a catalyst for the development and reform of the global governance system is something that should excite the world rather than build walls of sentiment.

President Xi, in his powerful address, reiterated that China was ready to work with all parties to uphold courageously the great principle and the common good of the world, to promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, to resolutely safeguard the fruits of their victory in the war, to deliver more benefits to humanity through the reform of the global governance system, and to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

For Nigerians across different sectors, a new Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is the long-awaited game-changer. Although it is the fourth development idea proposed by China under the leadership of Xi, it is highly expected that other ideas will seamlessly fall in line if global governance is gotten right.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has also described the initiative as a well-thought-out contribution towards strengthening the international system. As one of Africa’s largest economies and an active participant in multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria sees GGI as a valuable platform for advancing shared priorities, including reform of the UN, inclusive governance in emerging domains, and promotion of equitable development.

By this, it has joined the rest of the peace-loving countries of the world to reaffirm sustained commitment to a just, inclusive, and effective international order, which reflects the aspirations of all peoples and upholds the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect.

For China, the Global South appreciates your contributions and constant reminder, in words and actions, that no nation should be left behind. The newly proposed GGI is just one of those valuable contributions.

Chiedu is an Abuja-based international relations enthusiast.