Shared future for mankind promoted as participants gather at international forum

Focusing on global hot topics, the two-day 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum concluded in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, attracting more than 200 participants from the political, academic and business circles across around 50 countries to engage in in-depth exchanges under the theme of Collective Action for One Future.

Jointly organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Guangdong provincial government and the World Leadership Alliance — Club de Madrid, this year's forum encompassed more than 10 significant events, including an opening ceremony, two closed-door sessions, a plenary discussion, six thematic sessions and a closing ceremony.

Topics dwelled upon include Global Strategic Stability; Financing for Development. Towards Full Implementation of the SDGs; Enhancing Global Cooperation: Shaping a Shared Future for Humankind; Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges to Global Security; Tackling Challenges Facing the World Economy; United Nations Summit of the Future, the Future of Global Governance; AI & Green Technology for Progress and Development; Sustainable Development and the Second World Social Summit; and People-to-people Exchanges for Mutual Understanding.

Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that the world is entering a period of new turbulence and transformation. "Countries should continuously build consensus and promote partnerships, adhering to the fundamental principles of international relations based on the United Nations Charter. Upholding the international order based on international law, we should seize opportunities and address challenges through unity and cooperation, continuously promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and bringing together strength for a better future."

Yang noted that the ISIF event once again proves that only through collective action, a shared future can be created and that all countries, regardless of size or strength, should uphold the principle of harmony in diversity, embrace an inclusive mindset of "each beauty has its own way".

Since its inauguration in 2014, nine sessions of ISIF have been held, with this session being held in Madrid. It is the first time the event has ever been held outside China, marking a significant milestone.

Chau Chak Wing, president of the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, said: "Since its establishment, the ISIF has been held for 10 years, with participants insisting on mutual respect, deepening understanding, enhancing mutual trust and expanding consensus. This year marks its first time that the forum is held outside China, which is demonstrating that we are making more friends, having deeper friendships and obtaining greater understanding."

"We have come here to deepen friendships, to build confidence and to take joint actions. We hope that everyone will engage in in-depth exchanges, enhance consensus, focus on actions around the theme of this event and contribute wisdom and strength to world peace and development, for a better future for humanity," Chau said during the opening ceremony.

"Meanwhile, the exchanges between China and Spain have a long history, and the peoples' friendship is deeply rooted. We hope that this forum will serve as a new starting point to further elevate the exchanges and cooperation between China and Spain and the European Union," he said.

On the sidelines of the event, Gabriela Ramos, assistant director-general for social and human sciences at UNESCO, announced the launch of a new youth leadership program called the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme; and an inauguration ceremony for the venue was held on the same occasion.

The program will officially start in January and is a partnership between UNESCO and Guangzhou-based Kingold Group.

Ramos said that she hopes the program will bring young leaders from around the world to engage in discussions with experts, enhance people-to-people exchanges and increase mutual learning among civilizations.

"Imperial Springs is a perfect venue to facilitate this program given the pivotal role it has played in advancing international dialogue and peace, with its combination of tradition and modernity as well as its role as a world peace practice base," said Ramos.

Prior to this year's event, eight sessions of the forum had been held in Guangzhou and had welcomed more than 200 international dignitaries and 600 experts, scholars and business leaders in China and those from abroad to discuss global governance issues and to champion multilateralism.

Chau Chak Wing, president of the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, delivers a speech at the 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum. CHINA DAILY

Gabriela Ramos, assistant director-general for social and human sciences at UNESCO (left) and Chau Chak Wing (right) launch the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme at the forum. CHINA DAILY