In a significant move to strengthen multilateral cooperation, the Group of Friends of Global Governance was formally launched at UN headquarters in New York on December 9, 2025. The initiative, spearheaded by China, brought together representatives from nearly 40 founding member states for its inaugural meeting.
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, emphasized the group's mission during his opening address: "We aim to deepen exchanges on critical global challenges and uphold multilateralism as our guiding principle." The platform operates under China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year as part of a series of measures to address systemic international challenges.
The GGI represents Beijing's fourth major global framework since 2025, following earlier initiatives focused on development, security, and cultural cooperation. According to Fu, over 140 countries and international organizations have already endorsed the initiative, which seeks to "inject stability into an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape."
During discussions chaired by Fu, member states highlighted the urgency of reforming UN-led governance structures to better reflect contemporary economic realities and security needs. Participants particularly emphasized the need to strengthen the UN's central role in conflict resolution and sustainable development.
China Media Group reported that multiple delegates praised the GGI's focus on practical cooperation mechanisms during post-meeting interviews. Fu confirmed the group remains open to new members committed to "building a fairer international system through dialogue rather than confrontation."
Analysts suggest this development underscores China's growing influence in shaping global governance frameworks, particularly through UN platforms. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to establish what Chinese officials describe as "a community with a shared future for humanity."
