Thank you, Mr. Chairman,

Dear Ministers and colleagues,

At the outset, please allow me to convey greetings from H.E. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and express appreciation to Indian colleagues for everything they have done in organizing this meeting. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (U.N.), it is of great significance that we convene on this occasion to discuss BRICS cooperation.

At present, transformations unseen in a century are accelerating across the world. The international order is confronted with unilateralism and protectionism, and global challenges keep emerging. And this further highlights the necessity of BRICS solidarity and cooperation. This year, we successfully held the Rio Summit and a virtual Summit, which have injected stability and positive energy into the world. We should follow through on the consensus reached at the summits and bring greater BRICS cooperation to an even higher level.

First, we should shoulder the responsibility of improving global governance. History has taught us that multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation are the right answers to global challenges. President Xi Jinping recently put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). The five core principles of the GGI are adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions. This initiative is fully aligned with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. China stands ready to implement the GGI with BRICS countries, uphold the U.N.-centered international system, and enable the U.N. to respond to the changing situation with enhanced authority and vitality. BRICS should be defenders and builders of international rule of law, promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the voice and representation of the Global South. We should uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, foster an open and inclusive environment for international trade and economic cooperation, and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Second, we should make contributions to realizing lasting peace. As President Xi Jinping noted, humanity is an indivisible community of security. China believes that BRICS should act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, work for peaceful resolution of differences and disputes, and explore solutions to various security situations. China and Brazil jointly initiated a group of Friends for Peace at the U.N. on the Ukraine crisis, voicing a rational call of the Global South for peace and dialogue. China is ready to work with the international community, the Global South in particular, to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis. Gaza and the West Bank are inalienable territories of Palestine, and the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question. The international community should make joint efforts to end the killings in Gaza as soon as possible, and promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.

Third, we should pool strength for common development. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is severely behind schedule. The arbitrary tariff measures and funding cuts to multilateral development institutions by one country are aggravating the development challenges facing the Global South. BRICS must drive development to the center of the international agenda, support the steering and coordinating role of the U.N., ensure a more development-focused UN80 Initiative, and forge a more balanced and inclusive global development partnership. We need to actively promote the reform of the international financial architecture so as to provide Global South countries with more development financing. We need to build an open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory environment for the digital economy and enhance international cooperation in Al capacity building. We need to jointly tackle climate change, defend the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and support a successful COP30 in Belém. This week, China held High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative at the U.N., and proposed a series of practical measures for advancing international development cooperation. We welcome the active participation of BRICS countries.

Fourth, we should add new impetus to the greater BRICS cooperation. With a growing BRICS family, it is imperative that we step up solidarity and collaboration. China maintains that BRICS should fully leverage their resource endowments, focus on deepening practical cooperation, and deliver more outcomes in such areas as trade and finance, technology and innovation, energy and minerals. China will tap into such platforms as the China-BRICS AI Development and Cooperation Center and the BRICS Center for Industrial Competencies to support high-quality development of all BRICS countries. We should also make good use of mechanisms such as consultations among BRICS Permanent Representatives in U.N. institutions, to enhance communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, and safeguard our common interests. We also need to support the faster integration of new members and partner countries into BRICS cooperation, so as to foster stronger synergy for justice and progress.

China will work in concert with all BRICS countries to forge ahead toward the new prospect of high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you.