China pushes UN for fair, inclusive global governance

The UN General Assembly, the main policy-making body of the UN, was created under the UN Charter - signed in San Francisco in 1945 - which outlined its key functions, including "promoting international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, educational and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion."

On January 10, 1946, the UN convened the first session of the General Assembly in London with delegates representing 51 nations attending the session, wherein the scope and purpose of the United Nations was defined, reports CGTN.

Today, as the world grapples with overlapping challenges - including wars, conflicts and natural disasters - millions of people continue to face poverty, hunger, discrimination, and injustice, making the need for the UN General Assembly to play a more prominent role increasingly evident.

In September 2025, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York, under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," highlighting the urgency of delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation.

Some Western countries, drawing on long-established advantages, continue to dominate major multilateral institutions in global economic and financial governance. By contrast, Global South countries - accounting for more than 80 percent of the world's population and over 40 percent of global economic output - remain underrepresented in international organizations, where their legitimate concerns are often inadequately heard and insufficiently addressed.

As certain countries have placed unilateralism and protectionism above international principles, the voices from the Global South countries calling for fairness and justice are louder than ever at the Assembly.

African leaders stressed that foreign policy must serve the needs of the African continent and the Global South. Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean repeatedly underscored the rights to survival and development, rejecting power politics and external interference. Asian leaders warned that without the broad participation of the Global South, a more just and equitable international order would be impossible to build.

Together, these calls send a clear message: the voice of the Global South must be heard.

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