The Group of Friends of Global Governance was launched Tuesday, Dec, 9, at UN headquarters, bringing together nearly 40 founding member states. 

The inaugural meeting was hosted by China’s Permanent Mission to the UN and chaired by Ambassador Fu Cong.The platform is based on the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which highlights sovereign equality, international law, multilateralism, development, and practical cooperation. Fu called the initiative “an important public good” aimed at improving the global governance system.

Fu said China established the group to work with member states on major governance issues and to promote a more just international order.Representatives from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean voiced strong support. Cuba welcomed the initiative as a tool for democratizing international relations; Burundi said it offers a collective path to address global challenges; and Pakistan stressed its value at a time of “multiple crises” and weakening confidence in multilateralism.

Open to all UN member states, the group aims to deepen policy coordination, support the UN’s central role, and deliver concrete outcomes on development, peace, and security.In a joint statement, members called the launch a “significant step” in advancing the GGI and encouraged more countries to join.

Fu said the group is intended as an inclusive platform and reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with all nations to implement the GGI and improve global governance.