With a theme of "Multilateralism 2.0: global cooperation in the post-pandemic era", the 2021 Imperial Springs International Forum came to a successful conclusion on December 6 in Guangzhou.
More than 150 guests attended the forum held both online and offline, including former world leaders, heads of international organizations, foreign envoys in China, representatives from business circles, experts and scholars.
They shared their views and ideas in six breakout sessions:
Public health and global cooperation, building a community of common health for mankind;
Post-pandemic economic recovery, revitalizing globalization place;
Economic and social development and climate change: realizing the 2030 Agenda; Unconventional global challenges and responses;
Upholding multilateralism and reshaping the global governance system;
Responsibility and action of leaders and the world future.
Together, they reached broad consensus on the importance of multilateralism in the post-pandemic era. Former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei issued the "Imperial Springs Statement" at the closing ceremony.
(Photo: Steven Yuen)
Consisting of seven points, the statement summarized the views of former world leaders and guests on the six topics, stressing the importance of multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation against COVID-19.
As COVID-19 has severely slowed down the recovery of the world economy, the statement calls on all countries to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination，promote free trade and international investment, and jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial supply and value chains. The forum highlighted the need to strengthen the role of the WHO and build a community of common health for humankind.
He Yafei said: “We appeal to all parties to strengthen multilateral cooperation through concrete actions, revitalize the international system with the United Nations as the core and build on the principles of international law set out in the UN Charter.”
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.
Author | Hannah, Huang Yanting (intern)
Editor | Keane, Steven, Jerry
