Summit of future and community with a shared future

The existing global liberal order was built on alluring promises and rhetoric, such as development, equality, inclusivity, respect for dignity, respect for sovereignty, and rule-based global governance and security. However, the reality was far from the promises, and the liberal order only helped a few powerful players.

Therefore, the global order is fading away. There are multiple reasons for this, but the most important are structural flaws, embedded imbalances, narrow interests and the hegemonic aspirations of a few countries.

Besides, emergence of climate change as an existential threat, technology as a no man’s land and Covid-19-imposed restrictions on mobility have no precedent in human history, and have further complicated the situation. Humans have no experience dealing with these challenges, and every country’s dynamics and level of vulnerability make combating them difficult. Therefore, the world needs a cooperative policy framework and collaborative and coordinated efforts to deal with these challenges. In this context, Summit of the Future is big news and a success.

It is heartening to note the summit succeeded in drafting a consensus-based agenda for the future. The Pact for the Future, in addition to existing Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, is a huge success against the backdrop of fractured global order and senseless country-first slogans.

These documents rightly identified the problems and proposed actions. The Pact for the Future identified the need to ensure all humans are treated equally and that there should be no discrimination within and among nations. The world will make all efforts to ensure stability, peace and a safe environment for everyone.

There would also be a focus on protecting rights of women and girls and providing them with a safe environment to pursue their dreams. The cultural diversity will be respected and promoted. The dialogue among cultures and religions would be promoted. Rights of indigenous people will also be protected.

Besides, the Pact for the Future emphasised the need to build strong mechanisms of cooperation to give an impetus to green growth and development. This is required to combat challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, and poverty, among others.

Therefore, the world must work together to achieve inclusive, sustainable development. The Pact further highlights importance of close cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation and building capacity of less developed countries.

Many other clauses in the Pact and other two documents give us hope world leaders are serious about tackling the challenges. However, the Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations are silent on how financing needs will be met. Moreover, who will lead the world’s green and just transition? Which country has the resources and vision to lead world in implementing the Pact for the Future, the existing Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations?

A bird’s eye view analysis indicates China can lead the way in implementing agenda of the future. China has a vision, resources, and, most importantly, the will to contribute to a peaceful and prosperous world and a just transition for future generations. President Xi has been working on it for many years and has launched vision of a Community with a Shared Future. The deep dive into five pillars of Community with a Shared Future (BRI, GDI, GSI, GCI, EC) indicates all these instruments can and will lead the world to achieve goals of Pact, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), etc.

China launched BRI, which has achieved many milestones.

According to latest available data, 153 countries and 32 international organisations have signed cooperation agreements with BRI. China has invested almost $1 trillion on numerous projects. The investment also helped mobilise $2.49 trillion from partner countries, while implementing 3220 joint projects during the last ten years.

The trade between China and BRI countries increased from $1.03 trillion to $2.07 trillion. BRI has also contributed to bringing millions of people out of poverty trap. It is also paving the way for digital connectivity and digitalisation of world.

China launched GDI to overcome development challenges. The GDI has the potential to combat contemporary challenges, while keenly focusing on future solutions. It has been designed around eight principles: Prioritising Development, People-Centric, Leaving No One and No Country Behind, Harmony Between Humans and Nature, Innovation-Driven Global Development Partnership, Action-Oriented and Synergy.

China is keen to make GDI a success story. Therefore, it has prioritised eight working areas including, Poverty, Food Insecurity, Health and Pandemic, Development Financing, Climate Change and Green Development, Industrialisation, Connectivity and Digital Economy

President Xi presented Global Security Initiative (GSI) idea to achieve a stable, peaceful and prosperous world. The idea is unique in the sense it not only talks about equality and a sense of togetherness but also presents viable options for traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

It has a rationale for acceptance, as the world has entered an era of higher uncertainty and a complicated security environment due to traditional and non-traditional security threats (climate change, technology, pandemic, etc). The four pillars of GSI, 1) common, 2) comprehensive, 3) cooperative and 4) sustainable security, can help world combat old and new security challenges and secure sustainable peace.

The Global Civilisation Initiative was launched to promote philosophy of harmony in diversity and peaceful and cooperative coexistence. The initiative’s genesis is the belief world is home to numerous cultures, living philosophies, economic development models, environments, diplomacy, people with diverse beliefs, habits and attitudes, and countries with different geographies, resources, and nationalities. Therefore, we must live in harmony, respect cultural diversity and build strong mechanisms and platforms to promote dialogue among civilisations.

President Xi presented the vision of constructing an Ecological Civilisation to create harmony between humans and nature. Moreover, to construct an ecological civilisation, China has put in place theoretical, institutional and practical frameworks for modernisation of economy (green development, circular development and low carbon development), culture (cultural movement, living well-off, and society inclusion), environment (building a beautiful China, good ecology) and governance (systems, mechanisms and institutional systems) by adhering to principles of Socialism with Chinese characteristics. China is also promoting the vision at global level and creating avenues for cooperation.

From the above discussion, it can be inferred Community with a Shared Future can help the world achieve goals of Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, Declaration on Future Generations, sustainable development goals, peace and overall development agenda. Besides, it prioritises dialogue over confrontation, win-win cooperation over a zero-sum game, and a level playing field.

It gives due importance to principles of equity and equality without any prejudices. It aims to explore establishing networks of inter-civilisation dialogue to enhance mutual learning and find new ways of cooperation. Most importantly, China is ready to share its experience, prosperity and cultural products to create a harmonious world for future generations.