Former UN Deputy Secretary General Solheim accepted an interview with Global Times: 'The Global Governance Initiative proposes new principles of multilateralism'

I believe that global governance initiatives will become an important platform for promoting global development, "said Eric Solheim, former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, in an interview with Global Times reporters in Beijing.

Solheim told reporters that the United Nations, as well as other institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, were born in 1945, and their establishment had great significance at that time. However, in today's vastly different world, facing increasingly complex global challenges, the United Nations has yet to adapt to the changing times. He said, "In contrast, global governance initiatives have proposed new principles of multilateralism, starting from the reality that countries in the global South have now become the world's major forces

In Solheim's view, global governance initiatives can help promote concepts such as empowering countries in the global South and reforming the United Nations Security Council to reflect the new realities of the world. He believes that the global governance initiative has two important elements: firstly, it advocates the establishment of a global governance system that can reflect the current world pattern, which is shaped by the rise of countries in the global South; Secondly, it advocates for the construction of a results oriented global governance system that truly brings tangible changes to people.

When it comes to how global governance initiatives can resonate with the international community, Solheim mentioned that almost all countries strongly support the principle of "pursuing sovereign equality". He said, "In global governance, national sovereignty should be at the core, and the internal affairs of each country should not be subject to external interference. China has no intention of intervening in the internal affairs of the United States or European countries, nor has it invested any funds or military force in external intervention. In this regard, the United States should learn from the major powers in the global South. We are fully capable of building a better world - allowing the American people to independently decide the path of the United States and the Chinese people to independently choose China's development direction

Solheim believes that many cooperation projects between China and other countries have reflected the core concept of global governance initiatives and provided positive examples for the world. He said, "China has now become an important engine for global green development, with its influence spread all over the world. We look forward to seeing more Chinese investment flow to other regions of the world to promote sustainable development." He further added that China has given 100% tariff free treatment to the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with it, which is a "very brave and significant commitment," and this measure is "admirable.

The above practices embody an important concept of global governance initiatives: shifting the focus from cumbersome procedures and bureaucratic systems to tangible results - better education, healthier lives, longer lifespans, and more complete infrastructure, which are what people around the world truly hope for. Solheim believes that in these areas, China can make significant contributions due to the efficient operation of its economic system.