The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum concludes with fruitful achievement

Themed "Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation," the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum (ISIF) came to a successful conclusion on December 5 in Guangzhou.

More than 130 guests from political, academic, and business circles in over 40 countries attended the Forum. This impressive gathering included over 30 former heads of state, heads of government, and leaders of international organizations. Additionally, there were over 60 internationally-renowned experts and scholars, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions.

The "Imperial Springs Statement" was issued at the closing ceremony.

Consisting of 11 points, the statement summarized the views of former world leaders and guests on the theme of the conference at the panel discussions, including: the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, prospects for the global economy, traditional and non-traditional challenges and solutions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the need for climate action, people-to-people exchanges, and the future of multilateralism and global governance reform.

The statement is as follows:

1. The state of global affairs is undergoing complex and profound changes. Humankind is facing unprecedented, severe challenges and uncertainties, but progress made in terms of peace, development, and win-win cooperation remains irreversible. The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum clearly noted that we should overcome fragmentation through exchanges, resolve antagonism through inclusiveness, and achieve a common future through cooperation. We should work together to tackle global risks and challenges and create a brighter future for the world.

2. In responding to the central question of "What kind of world do we need and how to build such a world," China has been contributing to the pursuit of world peace through its own development. China put forth the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and has promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. These initiatives and ideas hold that development is the driving force for security, security is the prerequisite for development, and civilization is the fertile soil for development and security. Development is the common aspiration of all peoples. We need to work together to move global development to a new level of balance, coordination, and inclusiveness. Guided by the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, we should build a community of indivisible security. For this, building upon universal values, it is necessary to respect the diversity and innovation of world civilizations.

3. The Forum has called for multilateralism to address global challenges. We need to firmly uphold the authority and central role of the United Nations, embrace the UN Charter as the basis for international relations, and adhere to the concept of global governance based on dialogue, consultations, joint development, and shared interests. International and regional organizations as well as multilateral cooperation mechanisms should align efforts to strengthen multilateralism and be builders of world peace and contributors to global development.

4. The future of the global economy is uncertain, with unilateralism, protectionism, inflation, war and sanctions, and global supply chain disruptions affecting economies around the world and deepening existing challenges, particularly for developing and emerging economies. Poverty and hunger are on the rise. Countries should take collective responsibility and cooperative measures to safeguard macroeconomic and financial stability in order to promote world economic recovery and lay the foundation for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.

5. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change must be implemented. Climate change is a critical threat to human existence. Immediate and decisive action on climate is essential to limit global warming, recognizing that countries have common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities. The international community, mainly developed countries, must mobilize both financial and technical support to help developing countries.

6. Currently, traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. Countries should be aware of the need to work together in a time of change and chaos. The security of individual countries and the common security are interrelated and unified, and the development of individual countries and the development of the world are intertwined and mutually supportive. The international community should work together to address global challenges such as terrorism, cybersecurity, energy security, and biosecurity, and promote the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable international security framework under the UN framework.

7. Given mounting multi-polarity, globalization, digital transformation, and cultural diversity, the international community should avoid bloc confrontation. The Forum welcomed a stronger role of the United Nations for greater solidarity and urged the international community to restore its shared commitment to its fundamental values, multilateralism, and the reform of the global governance system.8. The world has entered a period of comprehensive digital transformation. Technological innovation remains a global strategic priority and a leading force for development based on innovation-driven productivity. The Forum called on countries to invigorate the potential of cooperation in traditional fields, expand the vitality of cooperation in new fields such as artificial intelligence and digitalization, promote the deep integration of the real and digital economies, and give full play to the key role of science and technology in solving global crises.

9. The foundation of friendly cooperation among all countries in the world lies in the people. We should continue to give full play to the unique and important role of people-to-people diplomacy in communicating with the world, deepening understanding, enhancing mutual trust, forging consensus, and promoting cooperation. The Forum welcomes and supports political leaders and leaders in various fields from all countries to bring the world back on track towards development and contribute to the development and common prosperity of all mankind with greater courage and open-mindedness, as well as greater forwardness and inclusiveness.

10. ISIF participants celebrated China's decision to advance its views, ahead of the Summit of the Future, to inform discussions on a system of global governance fit for purpose in the present era. They welcomed China's decision to integrate the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative into a coherent Proposal of the People's Republic of China on the Reform and Development of Global Governance, and encouraged all other UN member states who will participate in the deliberations on the intergovernmental Pact for the Future to consider these proposals carefully, and to advance their own. An in-depth exchange on the purposes of the global governance system, the norms needed to achieve them and ensure compliance, is essential for a system that will allow us to build a shared future for all.

11. Finally, ISIF participants called upon world leaders to actively engage in promoting cooperation, lasting peace, sustainable development, and well-being for all of humankind.

The Imperial Springs International Forum was founded in 2014 and is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Guangdong Provincial People's Government, and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid.

Reporters: Steven, Lydia and Rofel