On August 26th, the Boao Forum for Asia Round-table themed “Future of the World: from the Perspective of Asia” was held in Bangkok, Thailand. H. E. Mr. Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, delivered welcome remarks at the Opening.
On behalf of the Boao Forum for Asia, SG Zhang Jun, appreciated inspiring messages from H. E. Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of P. R. China and H. E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly. He also thanked the Thai government for gracious hospitality and strong support, as well as the strong leadership and guidance by Chairman Ban Ki-moon, other members of the BFA Board of Directors. Zhang Jun stated that BFA dedicates to promote Asian cooperation, and pays close attention to major global challenges, seeks common development, and builds shared future. The world experiences accelerated transformation. On one hand, development is gaining momentum, and peoples’ aspirations for a better future have never been stronger. On the other hand, humanity is faced with a great number of grave challenges, in a fragmented world falling fast into camp-based confrontation and disorder, and tough choices on peace or war, solidarity or division, cooperation or confrontation, openness or isolation, and win-win or zero-sum game.
Zhang Jun pointed out that global challenges call for global cooperation. The United Nations will convene the Summit of the Future. At this unusual historical moment, people lay high hopes on the Summit and world leaders to demonstrate strategic vision & wisdom, to renew confidence, solidarity & vigor in a world of turbulence, and to explore solutions for the major challenges we face. Asia has been making unremitting efforts to safeguard multilateralism and promote common development, for instance, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence put forward by China and other Asia countries 70 years ago, have left an indelible mark in history, and hold the promise of a brighter future for mankind. At this historical juncture for the world, on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future, Asia is duty-bound to take up its responsibility, strengthen strategic coordination, maintain strategic autonomy, come up with Asian solutions, and play a greater constructive role in addressing our common challenges and shaping our shared future.
Zhang Jun remarked that, in the face of challenges, we must speak out, loud and clear, for solidarity, cooperation and join efforts towards a shared future for humanity. The biggest crisis we are facing today is the lack or deficit of trust. The upcoming Summit of the Future should rebuild trust as its immediate priority, promote dialogues & consultations, build consensus, seek win-win cooperation, and work closely together in a world of profound changes and grave challenges. In the face of challenges, we must try our best to maintain global strategic stability to create a peaceful environment for development. Deteriorating global security and spillover of regional conflicts have turned the world into a more dangerous place. The United Nations should play a more effective role in ending wars and conflicts, settling disputes through dialogue & political means, so as to safeguard world peace, equity and justice. In the face of challenges, we must make further efforts in shaping an open world economy for common development. Economic globalization serves the common interest of all nations. We must deepen economic integration, establish equal & open partnerships. We must also make further efforts in crisis management and risk control, and keep global supply & value chains stable and unblocked. Asia can be a global leader in this regard.
Zhang Jun said that, in the face of challenges, we must adhere to the path of sustainable development and “turbocharge” the SDGs. The UN 2030 Agenda remains our most important development agenda. We should invest more in development, support capacity building in developing countries, and take more concrete steps to integrate SDGs into global, regional & national development plans and enable all countries to benefit from development. In the face of challenges, we must recommit to multilateralism as the right approach, and make greater efforts to improve global governance. The United Nations is irreplaceable. Member states should fulfil their obligations and defend UN’s central role in international affairs. We must defend the authority of the international rule of law, ensure fair, equal & effective global governance, and prevent the world from sliding into disorder or anarchy. In the face of challenges, we must give full play to emerging technologies, and ensure equal access and equity in their application to prevent the widening of digital & development gaps. We should boost international cooperation & governance in AI and other new frontiers, oppose technological protectionism, and help developing countries with their capacity building to ensure technological advances are inclusive, equally accessible & beneficial to all.
Zhang Jun concluded that, in face of such enormous challenges, there are no shortcut to any place worth going. With our collective wisdom and strength, we could go together, go better and go far to solve them.
