UN Official Highlights China's Role in Multilateralism Amid Calls for Global Governance Reform
The international community expects China to remain firmly committed to multilateralism and uphold the global system centered on the United Nations, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder said on the sidelines of the 2026 Global Governance Forum in Xiong'an, Hebei Province, northern China.
The three-day forum opened on Friday under the theme "Rebuilding Confidence and Cooperation: Reforming and Improving Global Governance in a Transforming World." Hosted by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, the event brings together discussions on multilateral cooperation, artificial intelligence and sustainable development.
In an interview with China Media Group, Ryder emphasized China's importance as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Given its global reach and influence, he said, China has an important role to play in sustaining international cooperation.
"China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the size and influence of China in the world are such that we look to China to remain strongly committed to multilateralism. And I think it is. I think we hear very consistent messaging from the Chinese government of commitment to the United Nations.
China wants a system of international cooperation with the United Nations at its center. So, this is all very important for a world which I repeat, is divided. There is a lot of tension in the world. So, these are areas I think where China can play a very helpful role," he said.
Ryder also stressed the need for international institutions to adapt to a rapidly changing world. While the principles and provisions of the UN Charter remain fundamental, the organization's working methods and the issues it addresses must evolve to meet emerging challenges.
Artificial intelligence is one such challenge. Its rapid development raises questions that require international dialogue and updated approaches to governance. Ryder said the forum provides an open and constructive setting for discussing how global institutions can respond to these changes.
"We do understand that the world is changing very quickly. Multilateralism is under strain. The United Nations needs to change as the world changes as well.
We stick with our principles, we stick with the United Nations Charter, but the way that we work and the issues that we deal with have to evolve. As the world changes, new problems are emerging. Artificial intelligence is a great example. We have to adapt to deal with those challenges, and I think the governance forum here is having these discussions in a very open and a very positive way," he said.
Ryder also spoke about Xiong'an, a new development zone designated in 2017 southwest of Beijing. The area is being developed largely from the ground up as a modern urban center serving the wider Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. He said the city's long-term planning reflects the importance of considering future generations when making decisions today.
"This is the city of the future. We have to try and deal with our problems today with a clear eye to what it means for future generations, for what the people who come after us will live in, and I think this city is an embodiment of that forward-looking attitude towards policy making," Ryder said.
The forum takes place amid broader discussions about the future of international cooperation and the ability of global institutions to respond to emerging challenges. Participants are examining how to preserve the principles of multilateralism while adapting global governance mechanisms to technological, economic and social change.
