On October 20, 2023, a significant gathering of over a thousand international guests convened to address a pressing question: How can we accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals?
The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum, held from October 18 to 20, was hosted by Renmin University of China. In his keynote address, Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia and Chair of the World Leaders Alliance, emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and analyzing development visions for 2030 and 2050.
In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges, actions to expedite sustainable development are more critical than ever. Speaking at the forum, Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, highlighted the compounded crises and increasing global uncertainties we face. He asserted the urgent need for dynamic new pathways to tackle these issues through global cooperation and collective action.
Reflecting on the current global context, former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Omurbek Babanov, articulated the forum’s mission: uniting for common goals, discussing effective globalization strategies, and envisaging new chapters in modernization.
Adding to the conversation, John Howarth, former Director of the London Economic and Business Policy Institute, and recipient of the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award, noted that the world has entered a transformative phase. He described two distinct paths moving forward: one championed by China’s concept of a shared human destiny, advocating interdependence and cooperation, and the other representing a zero-sum approach that fosters division and loss.
As Howarth highlighted, the choices made by nations will significantly impact humanity’s collective interests, determining whether we cultivate a unified world or fall into a competitive, win-lose dynamic.
The forum’s theme, “Building a Community for Development and Creating a New Era for Humanity,” featured two plenary sessions and 11 sub-forums. Participants engaged in discussions on global governance, green development, cultural exchange, and the vitality of youth innovation.
Former Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Jacek Kuczynski, urged for a unified global response to pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and green development. He called for consensus building and increased dialogue to combat conflicts with reason, seek win-win cooperation, and drive the establishment of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Chen Zhou, Deputy Minister of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, expressed hopes for political parties worldwide to create a “symbiotic development community” focused on people-centered principles, mutual growth, and multilateral cooperation.
Professor Qian Chengdan from Peking University emphasized the importance of acknowledging the diversity of civilizations and recognizing the equal rights of nations to choose their own development paths without a one-size-fits-all “correct” direction.
During the forum, Renmin University released a report titled “Humanity 2050: Comprehensive Human and Social Development.” The report underscored China’s commitment to sustainable development goals through the concepts of a community with a shared future for mankind and a global development initiative, illustrating a fusion of China’s modernization efforts with global sustainable development.
Devrat Gulong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), praised China’s significant achievements in South-South cooperation, poverty alleviation, technological innovation, and infrastructure development, highlighting China’s role as a leader in promoting world peace and development.
According to Solly Mapaila, General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, the transformative progress under the leadership of the Communist Party of China represents a notable instance of how party capability can facilitate modern advancement. He noted the critical importance of cooperation among Global South countries, urging unity and collaboration to enhance their collective role on the international stage and infuse a new era of meaning into the pursuit of global prosperity and a shared human future.
