We, the member countries of the Group of Friends of Global Governance (GFGG) Vienna Chapter, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) launched by President Xi Jinping, welcome and appreciate the remarkable progress made thus far. We reiterate our firm support for the GGI and emphasize the significance of its five core concepts—adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.

I. We commend the efforts made by the GFGG Vienna Chapter since its establishment. We engaged in-depth exchanges on reforming and improving global governance, addressing global challenges, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and reached broad consensus. We call on all parties of the Vienna multilateral platforms to undertake the following actions:

— Upholding the authority of the United Nations. Appreciating that the GGI, anchored in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, aims to uphold multilateralism and reinforce the central role of the UN in international affairs. Firmly upholding the international system with the UN at its core and emphasizing that the role of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened. Supporting the UN in enhancing its effectiveness and efficiency through reform so as to better fulfill the mandates entrusted by Member States.

— Safeguarding international rule of law. Firmly upholding the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety. Ensuring the equal and uniform application of international law and international rules.

— Strengthening solidarity and cooperation. Following the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strengthening communication, dialogue and cooperation on Vienna multilateral issues such as industrial development, peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the outer space, arms control and non-proliferation, trade law, combating drugs and crime, and anti-corruption. Encouraging enhanced cooperation to strengthen preparedness and resilience against global challenges, and focusing on delivery of more concrete outcomes for the member countries.

— Building international consensus on accelerating development. Restoring development to the heart of the UN’s agenda, and strengthening the mandate mechanisms and resource commitments for development, to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so that all countries could share the benefits of development, leaving no one behind. Strengthening capacity building and knowledge sharing to support developing countries to peacefully use science, technology and innovation to achieve sustainable development. Identifying the intersection between development needs and governance challenges to advance development and governance in tandem.

— Safeguarding the rights and interests of the Global South. Highlighting that the Global South is an important part of a multipolar world. Reaffirming the principles of sovereign equality and mutual respect among all countries, regardless of their size. Prioritizing efforts to increase the weight of Global South countries in global governance reform, and enhancing their representation and voice, to ensure that they are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance.

— Improving global governance on AI. Upholding a people-centered approach and the principle of AI for good, supporting the UN as the main channel of AI global governance and promoting inclusive and transparent AI development and innovation while strengthening capacity building to ensure equitable access for developing countries to the benefits of AI and to prevent the widening of the digital divide. We appreciate the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization(WAICO) and look forward to its contribution to ensuring that AI truly promotes shared prosperity and benefits all of humanity.

— Advancing dialogue among civilizations. Engaging in dialogue among civilizations that transcends geopolitical divides, bloc confrontation, and ideological bias, so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust and draw inspiration from our diversity to address global challenges.

II. To achieve the above objectives, we commit to strengthening communication and coordination through the GFGG Vienna Chapter, enhancing the Group’s mechanisms and maximizing its role in supporting the Vienna multilateral cause and fostering a more just and equitable global governance system.

— Enhancing dialogue and collaboration. Strengthening communication and alignment through various forms of engagement, including PRs meetings, seminars, briefings and thematic training sessions, as appropriate, to coordinate our positions on Vienna multilateral issues.

— Expanding partnerships. Upholding the principle of openness and inclusiveness, we invite more countries to join the Group. We welcome the Group’s exchanges with non-members, the United Nations Office at Vienna and Vienna-based international organizations, promoting the implementation of the core concepts of the GGI on Vienna multilateral platforms. We will explore engagement with relevant think tanks and other institutions.

— Jointly advancing development and governance. Recognizing the importance of enhancing synergies with other mechanisms, we stand ready to explore ways to work together with Vienna Chapters of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building and other relevant mechanisms.