Through the GGI, China reiterates its opposition to discrimination against any country -- big or small, rich or poor -- and stresses the need to ensure equal representation of the Global South in international economic and financial institutions.

CAIRO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, aims to boost global cooperation and narrow the development gap between the Global North and the Global South by enhancing the capacity to address challenges, an Egyptian official said recently.

Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua that the main purpose of establishing the United Nations after two world wars was to achieve governance and provide legal frameworks regulating international relations.

Nevertheless, the world today is experiencing the Cold War mentality, protectionism and unipolarity -- challenges that require a global governance order, he added.

"The timing of the Chinese proposal is what I admired most about the governance initiative," Saad said.

He highlighted sovereign equality as one of the five principles of the GGI, noting that China has consistently stressed this principle in its relations with Africa, the Arab world and at various cooperation platforms.

Through the GGI, China reiterates its opposition to discrimination against any country -- big or small, rich or poor -- and stresses the need to ensure equal representation of the Global South in international economic and financial institutions, he added.

Noting that the Global South countries remain underrepresented in global decision-making, Saad said many feel marginalized and believe their views are often overlooked on issues affecting their interests, such as development, peace and economic financing.

He added that China's efforts to support countries of the Global South are obvious, citing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's adherence to the spirit of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of common development."

The GGI calls for international cooperation and coordination to help the Global South tackle shared challenges and advance common interests, as the initiative focuses on their key concerns, he said.