At a time when Chinese foreign ministry statement claiming Nepal’s support to the Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative has stirred strong reactions in Nepal, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his optimism towards Global Governance Initiative, the fourth and new proposition floated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the 25th Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin, China.

Chinese President Xi, while addressing the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus’ meeting on Monday, announced the new initiative. He earlier introduced the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

After Xi came to power in 2013, he first came up with the idea of the Silk Road Economic Belt during his visit to Kazakhstan which later evolved as One Belt One Road which is now widely known as Belt and Road Initiative.

After BRI started attracting support across the globe, China announced more initiatives. The number of such initiatives has now reached four.

Xi highlighted five principles of the GGI—adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on real actions, according to the Chinese official news agency, Xinhua.

“While the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world,” Xi said, adding that new threats and challenges have been only increasing, and the world has found itself in a new phase of turbulence and transformation.

“Global governance has come to a new crossroads,” he said, while announcing the Chinese version of a new initiative whose blueprint is yet to be out.

He said that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers, and beneficiaries in global governance.

“There should be no double standards, and the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others,” Xi said.

As of now, it is believed that key actors of global governance are sovereign nation states, United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, international non-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations, and civil society, among others, who uphold the principle of international law, multilateralism, soft law, dialogue and diplomacy and capacity building, according to Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Echoing the objective of the newly announced initiative by President Xi, Prime Minister Oli said there is now a need for “a revitalised multilateralism”. “We must make the global governance system more effective and efficient by placing the United Nations at its core,” Oli said. “In this context, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by China would help strengthen the multilateral system by making it a more just, inclusive and equitable community with a shared future for humanity.”

Oli’s remarks came on the same day Xi proposed the GGI in Tianjin without internal consultation with relevant stakeholders like different political parties and various state agencies. And Oli’s prompt optimism came without having a full blueprint of GGI at a time when China is challenging the western style of governance, political system, democracy and parliamentary practices.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will complement the spirit of revitalised multilateralism based on sovereign equality, said Oli. “Further, there is an urgency for a revitalised SCO which should be more united, more integrated, and more resilient to tackle deepening geopolitical, economic, and ecological shocks that threaten our shared future.”

Oli in his statement also expressed Nepal’s desire to become a member of the SCO. “Nepal, a proud Dialogue Partner since 2016, looks forward to getting admitted as a full member,” said the prime minister.

Before becoming a full member, Nepal has to be elevated to observer in SCO.

Separately, Oli met Xi on Saturday as soon as he reached Tianjin. After the meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry stated that Nepal supported the Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Development Initiative. But Nepali officials and the prime minister’s aides told the Post that no such discussion was taking place during the meeting and as per the stated policy, Nepal only had extended support to GDI, not GSI and GCI.

“We live in an age of extraordinary progress: in science, technology, and innovation. Yet, this progress is overshadowed by deep fractures: widening inequalities, economic turbulence, climate emergencies, and conflicts that defy borders,” said Oli. “In such a world, no nation can stand secure in isolation. No people can prosper in fragmentation.”

This is why multilateralism is an imperative of our time, added the prime minister. “Yet we must face a harsh truth.”

Oli added that rule-based order has been challenged, peace and justice have remained elusive, and thus, multilateralism is in crisis.

“And this crisis is not only external, it also stems from its failure to deliver,” he added.

“Multilateral forums promise much. Too often, they deliver little. Promises without progress erode trust. But abandoning multilaterism is not the answer. We cannot speak of peace without addressing regional security. Threats cross borders every day.”

Outlining the different threats confronting the nation-state, the prime minister said that terrorism robs societies of safety and opportunities, climate change multiplies risk and Nepal, with the Himalaya in its heart, feels its wrath directly.

The prime minister also drew the attention of the international delegates towards multiple crises in the Himalayan range due to climate change. “While our mountains serve as global climate stabilisers, they are being stripped of their snow reserve endangering the lives of billions living downstream,” said the prime minister.

Emerging threats such as cyber-attacks, pandemics, and ecological shocks are not confined to borders, he said, adding that with just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we are clearly off-track.

“In these turbulent times, regional cooperation is a tool to tackle shared challenges—economic, technological, ecological,” Oli said. “Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation is steadfast, and our relations with SCO members are strong.”

Oli explained the path ahead that requires three shifts.

“First, from isolation to connectivity, we must foster regional peace, progress and prosperity through enhanced physical, economic, digital, socio-cultural and people-to-people connectivity,” he said. “Second, confrontations to consultations and disagreements are natural, but disputes need not to be destructive.”

The prime minister emphasised embracing the Shanghai Spirit and stepping up dialogue and diplomacy to nurture deeper understanding.

“Third, from competition to cooperation the world needs more partnership not partition,” Oli said. “By working together, regionally and globally, we can build a just, inclusive, and resilient order and achieve sustainable development.”

Such “whole of the world” coordination will ensure that no nation is left behind, he added.

In conclusion, Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to enhance regional cooperation within SCO, expressing its support for a rule-based, inclusive multilateral system for a sustainable future.

“Let us uphold the Shanghai Spirit,” Oli said. “Let us strengthen friendships, partnerships, and good neighbourly relations. A resilient and prosperous SCO region is within our reach when we are committed to act together.”