The formation of the Group of Friends of Global Governance was formally announced at the United Nations in New York on December 9. This follows President Xi Jinping launching the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus Meeting in Tianjin on September 1.
The group initially consists of 43 members. Besides China, among them are Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Palestine, Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
The founders state that they reaffirm their firm commitment to upholding the legacy won by the Second World War, including the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety, including respecting sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of any state, and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of other states, and refraining in their international relations from the threat or use of force.
They express particular concern over the serious under-representation of the Global South, the erosion of the authority of international law, including the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. “We emphasise the need to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions, economic, social and environmental in a balanced and integrated manner and address other urgent and emerging global challenges.”
They further welcome the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and its five core concepts – sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach and taking real actions.
“Through this Group, we commit to deepening dialogue and coordination on global governance issues, engaging with relevant stakeholders, amplifying our collective voice, building and expanding consensus, and delivering concrete outcomes that respond to the yearns of our peoples and the legitimate aspirations of our nations.
“We emphasised that the international community must address the challenges and needs faced by developing countries, especially countries in special situations in particular, African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.”
Finally: “We extend a cordial invitation to all like-minded Member States to join this Group of Friends. Together, we stand ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of a more just and equitable global governance system and a brighter future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for all.”
The next day, at a regular Foreign Ministry press conference in Beijing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated that the group is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision.
He said that: “Global governance is a matter for all. It bears on the vital interests of every country and calls for everyone to participate, engage in decision-making and share the fruits.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN and by the Xinhua News Agency.
Joint Statement on the Launch of the Group of Friends of Global Governance
December 9 (China UN Mission) – We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, comprising the following 43 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Samoa, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Group convened its inaugural meeting at the United Nations Headquarters at the level of Permanent Representatives to the UN on 9 December 2025, and reached agreement on the following:
We highlight the historic significance of the founding of the United Nations 80 years ago, which ushered in a new chapter of global governance. We reaffirm our firm commitment to upholding the legacy won by the Second World War, including the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety, including respecting sovereignty equality, territorial integrity and political independence of any state, and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of other states, and refraining in our international relations from the threat or use of force.
We recognize that the world is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, as the UN and the multilateral system face increasing strain and global governance deficits continue to widen. We express particular concern over the serious under-representation of the Global South, the erosion of the authority of international law, including the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We emphasize the need to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions, economic, social and environmental in a balanced and integrated manner and address other urgent and emerging global challenges.
We underscore, in this context, the urgent need to reform and improve global governance to make it more relevant and responsive to an emerging multipolar world. We welcome the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and its five core concepts—sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and taking real actions. We further appreciate that the Initiative, anchored in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, aims to uphold multilateralism and reinforce the central role of the UN in international affairs.
We affirm that the establishment of the Group of Friends of Global Governance marks a significant step in implementing the Global Governance Initiative, and provides an inclusive platform that draws on collective wisdom and mobilizes joint efforts for reforming and improving the global governance system. Through this Group, we commit to deepening dialogue and coordination on global governance issues, engaging with relevant stakeholders, amplifying our collective voice, building and expanding consensus, and delivering concrete outcomes that respond to the yearns of our peoples and the legitimate aspirations of our nations.
We emphasized that the international community must address the challenges and needs faced by developing countries, especially countries in special situations in particular, African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
We extend a cordial invitation to all like-minded Member States to join this Group of Friends. Together, we stand ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in pursuit of a more just and equitable global governance system and a brighter future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for all.
China welcomes all countries with same vision to participate in Group of Friends of Global Governance: FM spokesperson
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) — The Group of Friends of Global Governance is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision, said Chinese foreign minister spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday.
Guo made the remarks after China’s Permanent Mission to the UN announced on Tuesday the inauguration of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the platform of the UN.
Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative during the SCO Tianjin Summit, charting the course for the reform of the global governance system and providing invaluable stability and certainty for the turbulent world, Guo told a regular press briefing, adding that the initiative received extensive recognition and positive response from the international community.
Guo said that China initiated the Group of Friends of Global Governance to bring parties together for closer exchanges and cooperation on major issues on global governance, and draw on collective wisdom and mobilize joint efforts for reforming and improving global governance.
He further pointed out that participating countries highly recognized and supported the Global Governance Initiative, commended China’s leading role in global governance, warmly congratulated on the inauguration of the group, and expressed hopes that the group will provide new impetus for upholding multilateralism and reforming and improving the global governance system.
Guo said that after the meeting, the 43 founding members of the group issued a joint statement, stressing they will jointly uphold the legacy won by the World War II, reinforce the role of the UN, address global challenges and respond to the yearning of the peoples.
“Global governance is a matter for all. It bears on the vital interests of every country and calls for everyone to participate, engage in decision-making and share the fruits,” said Guo, adding that the group is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision.
“We also support the group to enhance exchanges and cooperation with various countries, the UN Secretariat and relevant international organizations, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and make new contribution to world peace and development,” said the spokesperson.
