International Dialogue Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of United Nations Held in Beijing
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, where a series of high-level thematic events were held. On 27 November 2025, the UN System in China and the International Cooperation Center (ICC) co-hosted an international dialogue in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the UN. Ms. Cristina Duarte, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, attended online and delivered a speech. Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director, also sent a video address. Mr. Ma Shenrong, Chief Expert of the ICC and former Vice President and Executive Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency, attended the meeting and delivered a speech titled "Deepening Solidarity and Cooperation, Building a Shared Future Together." Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, attended and delivered a speech at the event. The meeting was moderated by Zhang Yu, Convener of the Joint Meeting and Director of the Steering Committee of the ICC.
Ms. Cristina Duarte and Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva
Ms. Zhou Hong and Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee unveiled the United Nations China Forum
The UN System in China and the ICC announced the establishment of a long-term coordination mechanism, "UN China Forum" during the meeting. This mechanism will continuity support the work of the UN System in China, enhance its overall influence, facilitate multilateral cooperation for the ICC, and deepen China-UN collaboration. Ms. Zhou Hong, Chairperson of the Academic Committee of the ICC and Member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, attended the unveiling ceremony of the UN China Forum. Ms. Zhou Hong stated that this long-term coordination mechanism would open up a new form of international dialogue, not only strengthening the link between China and the UN but also promoting "bridge-building" between different regions, connecting people's understanding with the challenges faced by the international community, and providing practical solutions to pressing issues.
The theme of the dialogue is "Transformation and Future of Global Governance". It was divided into three sessions: "Reforming the System: Financing Resilience and Equitable Development", "Governing the Future: Security, Ethics, and Cooperation in the Digital Age", "Architectural Reconfiguration: Representativeness and Leadership in the Global Governance System". Mr. Zhang Zhixiang, Standing Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of ICC, Chairman of the International Monetary Research Committee; Mr. Li Jianxing, Former Party Secretary and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily Overseas Edition; Ms. Li Xiaowei, Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning Department at China Eximbank; Ms. Yu Lu, Associate Researcher Fellow of Center for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD); Mr. Shen Wei, Vice President of China Association of Port-of-Entry (CAOP); Mr. Di Dongsheng, Director of School of Global and Area Studies, RUC and Executive Director of European Joint Research Institute at Ministry of Education, as Chinese representatives spoke in the discussion sessions. Ms. Wang Qian, Officer-In-Charge of UNEP China Office; Ms. Sophie Muller, Representative of UNHCR to China; and H.E. Mr. Ahmad Saidmurodzoda, Deputy Secretary-General of SCO; H.E. Mr. Andrey Tsekhov, Bulgarian Ambassador to China, as international representatives spoke in the discussion sessions. Ms. Sarwat Adnan, Head of Office of UNRCO in China moderated the sessions.
Ms. Sarwat Adnan moderated the sessions
H.E. Mr. Ahmad Saidmurodzoda delivered a speech
The participants unanimously agreed that the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. The lingering shadow of Cold War mentality and power politics persists, with frequent regional conflicts and disruptions. Economic globalization faces countercurrents, while unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. Humanity urgently needs the right path to emerge from crisis and move toward lasting peace and prosperity. The 80-year practice of the United Nations has proven that deepening solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful source of human progress, and upholding genuine multilateralism is the only correct choice to address global challenges. The international community widely recognizes that the reform of multilateral mechanisms, the collective rise of the Global South, and the active participation of major world powers are the key forces driving the transformation of global governance today.
The conference highlights that over the past 80 years, the United Nations has played an irreplaceable role in maintaining peace, promoting development, and advancing human rights. Facing multiple challenges, the international community must effectively build consensus, deepen solidarity and cooperation, reinvigorate the spirit of multilateralism, and focus on action and inclusiveness while harnessing the dual opportunities of technology and justice. The true multilateralism cannot work without the United Nations. It is imperative to uphold the UN-centered international system. It cannot work without international law. We must safeguard the international order based on the law. It cannot work without cooperation among nations. Major powers must take the lead in upholding equity, enforcing the rule of law, shouldering responsibilities, and prioritizing action. The collective rise of the Global South has become a defining feature of the changing world order. China should join hands with Global South countries to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as an inclusive and universal economic globalization. Together, we must drive the global governance system toward greater fairness and rationality, striving to build a world that is more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable.
Guests participated in the discussion
H.E. Ms. Irene Pivetti, Former Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Her Royal Highness Princess Tengku Faizwa of the Malaysian Royal Family sent greetings to the meeting. Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee and Ms. Zhou Qi, Deputy Director of the Pacific Society of China (PSC) and Director of the Institute of Global Governance and Development at Renmin University of China (RUC) made closing remarks. H.E. Mr. Alhaji Mohamed Sarjoh Bah, Representative of African Union to China; Ms. Hyn Hee Ban, Senior Advisor of Public Partnerships of UNICEF in China and representatives from various UN agencies in China; H.E. Willy Kipkorir Bett, Ambassador from Kenya; H.E. Mr. Sergio Cabrera, Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleinpotentiary Embassy of the Republic of Colombia; H.E. Mr. Majintha Jayesinghe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and diplomats from five continents attended the meeting. Chinese representatives from government bodies, people's organizations, research institutes and financial agencies, as well the Strategic Advisory Committee, Academic Committee, Steering Committee, Foreign Exchange Committee, International Strategic Research Center, the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Working Committee also attended the meeting.
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