Setting a new course toward global unity

We are connected and must remain connected. We are like a structure that will collapse entirely if even a part of it is broken off. The same is true on a global scale — a collapse of a country or region can trigger a worldwide crisis.

Consider the 2008 financial crisis, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, or the conflict in the Middle East. Each of these began in specific places but the repercussions could be felt around the world. We cannot isolate ourselves, as every issue can and has had severe effects in the political, economic, social and environmental spheres globally.

Our world is at a crossroads. We must choose between maintaining the status quo, risking potential self-destruction, or setting a new course toward global unity by making significant changes to save our civilization.

We should plan and work toward a community with a shared future. A community with a shared future where all countries have equal sovereignty. None should interfere in the internal affairs of the other; rather, countries should democratically manage global affairs together, instead of following the dictates of the most powerful states. Countries should pursue win-win cooperation to build a world of shared prosperity and view civilizational diversity not as a source of global conflict but as a driving force for human advancement.

We should develop a new model for major power competition, moving from military conflicts to addressing climate change, health crises and other shared issues. Major countries should promote win-win economic cooperation rather than zero-sum trade and technology competition. They should also integrate non-Western governance practices with the Western system of universal values, managing economic growth in a way that maintains ecological balance.

So, how can we achieve a community with a shared future? The foundation lies in connectivity, trust, peace and development. Connectivity can be achieved through the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative; trust through the Global Civilization Initiative; peace through the Global Security Initiative; and development through the Global Development Initiative, all of which present a road map for global progress.

This is the Chinese dream: the path from modernization as a local dream to a global reality. China's path from aspiration to achievement reflects a solid vision, driven by dedicated effort and a merciful approach. When someone is strong and capable, they set goals and help others achieve them — this is what's happening now. I remind you of the four initiatives: no development can happen without peace, no peace without trust, and no trust without communication.

The Belt and Road Initiative rests on two principles: connectivity — both hard connectivity, such as infrastructure and transportation, and soft connectivity, especially people-to-people exchanges — and partnership. Hard connectivity involves physical infrastructure, but soft connectivity fosters bonds between people. Partnership means thinking, working and benefiting together, which is the essence of cooperation.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated that our world suffers from a "trust deficit disorder". Building trust by embracing diversity is essential. Different languages, cultures, civilizations and customs coexist in this world. If we can harmonize these differences through people-to-people connections, we will create a beautiful, diverse humanity. This is the essence of the Global Civilization Initiative, which has its roots along the ancient Silk Road that spanned thousands of years.

Now is the time to explore the past, to rediscover the valuable principles of our ancestors, and to use them as timeless treasures to shape our future. We must emphasize that the challenges we face as a global community demand inclusive cooperation.

Once more, the essence of connectivity, trust, peace and development is built into all civilizations, including the Chinese civilization. We must extract this wisdom and understand how our ancestors dealt with these principles, bringing their solutions from ancient civilizations into the present and future.

The Global Security Initiative is offered as a public good to avoid a return to Cold War era divisions and Western bloc policies of confrontation. It reinforces the importance of adhering to the UN Charter's principles and encourages resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. Recently, I spoke with a Chinese friend and told him that China is a peaceful country. Don't expect China to go to war; instead, China will support peacekeeping efforts. China's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence provide a model for peacefully resolving international disputes through negotiation, based on the founding ideals of the UN.

The Global Development Initiative has received strong support from the international community. Over 100 countries and many international organizations, including the UN, have joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, demonstrating widespread confidence in its goals. The UN Secretary-General has praised this initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, for its potential to promote global equality and balanced sustainable development. The UN fully supports it and is eager to collaborate further with China. This initiative serves as a road map for global development, focusing on core concepts and priority areas such as poverty alleviation.

When embraced by those who advocate for peace and development, these initiatives create a path to a world in which everyone shares a common, prosperous future — a world defined by dialogue-based international relations, rules-based global governance and multilateralism.

Finally, the future is not just a time we wait for; it is a reality we create. We cannot passively await a future filled with these remarkable achievements. We must work actively to bring them about.

The author is a former Prime Minister of Egypt. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.