By Dr. Austin Maho
A critical examination of the recently unveiled Global Governance Initiative (GGI) by Chinese President Xi Jinping is revealing and ground breaking. What stand out is evident: equality, mutuality, rule based global order, shared development and shared future for mankind. These have implications in the search for a new global governance order, Africa and Nigeria.
Introduced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, the GGI seeks to promote a more just and equitable global governance system, addressing pressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation.
Why is President Xi Jinping’s new Global Governance Initiative unique and what are its implications and prospects ?
Unveiled at the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the GGI marks a significant shift in the global quest for a new world governance order.
Evidently, what the Tianjin summit demonstrates is that the SCO is no longer narrowly focused on security cooperation among member states but has transitioned instead to a global organization with a mandate covering economics, poliitics, development, and governance.
It is within this context that the Global Government Initiative, GGI, unveiled by President Xi Jinping must be understood.
At a time when the world is witnessing unilaterism, when globalization is being replaced by parochial nationalist, political ideology and rethorics, when tariffs have become the new weapon of global dominance and subjugation driving wedges among developing powers, the SCO stood as an venue not only for multilateral agreements but also for healing divides, fostering trust and building global consensus on governance.
The summit confirmed the SCO’s ambition to influence the shape of global governance. President Xi described the organization as a leader in promoting multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations. The Tianjin Declaration reflected this stance, laying out a shared vision of international order
anchored in the United Nations system, adjusted to nations’ perculiarities and conditions.
The current global order is structurally flawed and skewed in favor of the West. It reflects and promotes Western dominance rather than universally agreed norms. The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), is a counterpoise offering an alternative that is rooted in respect for sovereignty, multipolarity and a rule based global system with the United Nations at its core.
The GGI is built on five core principles: sovereign equality, international rule of law grounded in the UN Charter, multilateralism as the basis of governance, a people-centered approach that prioritizes common development, and pragmatism focused on measurable outcomes.
Beijing has identified the global financial system, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, international trade, and outer space as priority areas for rule-making. The GGI’s overarching goal is to create new institutions and norms that better represent the Global South, restore the UN’s centrality, and increase the effectiveness of global governance structure and mechanism.
Through the GGI, China is laying the intellectual ground work for the enthronwment of a new world order.
Since 2021 China has dedicated itself to providing the intellectual and philosophical foundation and push in building a new world order. We all share a common humanity irrespective of our differences. “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full bloom bring spring to the garden.” President Xi Jinping has quoted this old Chinese saying to express his vision on the common development of the world and to convey his appreciation of diversity and inclusiveness.
The GGI is the latest in a series of initiatives China has advanced to promote a new global order; before now there were the: The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These proposals are the building blocks the philosophical and policy foundation for Xi’s broad concept of building a “community with a shared future for mankind.”
The aim is clear: to rally international support for a new, multipolar order that eliminates Western hegemony and safeguards peaceful coexistence among peoples of the world irrespective of ethic, religious or political differences.
Evidently, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is transformative and significant to the global south particularly Africa and Nigeria.
AFRICA AND THE GGI
With FOCAC, China has always had Africa in its radar as a friend and a partner. The GGI would further consolidate this partnership as it aims to promote reforms in the UN Security Council and international financial system, allowing African countries to have a greater voice in global governance.
Currently, the United Nations is only “UNITED” by name but actually skewed in fabour of the West. Europe for instance in terms of landmass and population is incomparable to Africa but Europe has a total of 3 seats in the UN Security Council, with 2 being non-permanent seats and 1 permanent seat held by the United Kingdom and France, while africa has non!
This lack of representation is unfair. Africa constitutes over a quarter of the UN membership but has no permanent seats on the Security Council, despite being the subject of roughly 70% of the Council’s deliberations. Furthermore the five permanent members hold veto power, while African countries do not, despite their significant contributions to global peacekeeping. Consequently, the Council’s composition is seen as unrepresentative of the international community, with Africa’s voice often drowned in global power play.
This historical injustice hindged on a bygone colonial era inequalities does not reflect contemporary realities. A situation whereby some Western nations deploy the UN platform to prioritize their national interests over global peace and security, is counter productive to the UN Charter.
Africa’s interests and that of the global south as a whole must be represented
for global peace and sustainable development. The decades old cry for Africa to have two permanent seats with veto power would enhance its representation and influence and make the UN a truly global body that has divested itself from colonial mentality of treating Africa like a vassal.
The GGI can become the new platform for equity, justice and fairness for Africa.
Historically, China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, based on mutual trust and respect. Both have stood shoulder to shoulder to confront global challenges and promote mutual interests.
China has always supported Africa’s development, through the instrumentality of The Forum For China Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, China is providing the technology and capital for the development of critical infrastructure in connectivity, healthcare, agricultural, green energy among others.
At the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit. (FOCAC Beijing summit of 2024),
China launched several cooperation plans with Africa, including the “Ten Cooperation Plans” and “Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa Collaboration on Modernization”
According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the partnership aims to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization and cooperation. The initiative covers areas such as mutual learning between civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, and green development, among others with massive financial support running into hundreds of billions of RMB.
China has always being at the forefront of the campaign for a reformation of the UN
China has demonstrated committment to working with African countries to address global challenges through dialogue and a rule based United Nations.
Reforming and improving global governance which the GGI summit advocates cannot be achieved without an overhaul and critical reform of the UN in the promotion of a just and equitable global system that serves both the West and the South.
NIGERIA AND THE GGI
As the largest country in Africa in terms of population and one of the largest economies, Nigeria is a key strategic partner of China.
Last year after the visit of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the 9th FOCAC in Beijing, a major outcome was the upgrade of China Nigeria relations to Comprehensive Strategic. The implication of this upgrade is massive and demonstrates the growing trust and comradeship between both countries working together to promote development and global governance reforms.
There is no doubt that the GGI can contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth by promoting infrastructure development, healthcare, and agricultural modernization.
Nigeria’s participation in the GGI can enhance its global influence, Nigeria has been at the forefront of Campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a camoaign anchored on its contributions to global peace and security. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has been vocal about the need for Nigeria’s inclusion in the UNSC for fair and equitable representation. The GGI can become the platform for this campaign.
Happily, the Chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria–China Parliamentary Relations Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu is on page and has expressed strong support for the GGI, describing it as a “timely and visionary framework for addressing the challenges of global governance in a rapidly changing world”, noting that its goals aligns closely with Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and its commitment to South–South cooperation.
As Chairman of this very important Committee in the Nigeria Parliament Hon. Yakubu promised to provide legislative and institutional backing to ensure that Nigeria’s participation in the initiative results in concrete policies and programmes that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
According to him, the GGI, framework presents opportunities for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and China stressing that such, “collaboration would not only support Nigeria’s national development agenda but also contribute to building a more balanced and inclusive international governance system that reflects the aspirations of emerging economies”, towards a fairer and more equitable world order.
Overall, the GGI has the potential to promote a more equitable, fair and just global governance system, with Africa and Nigeria playing a greater role in international affairs.
