The Global Development Report 2025 was released Tuesday in Beijing, focusing on enhancing the independent development capabilities of the Global South.
The release marks the fourth consecutive year that China has published a report addressing this issue.
On Tuesday, officials from Chinese government agencies, along with representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program, engaged in discussions with Chinese and international experts who had contributed to the report on themes related to global sustainable development.
The report shows that the international landscape is currently undergoing complex and profound changes, with a significant increase in instability and uncertainty. By 2024, the number of discriminatory trade barriers exceeded 1,200 globally, affecting economic growth and trade stability.
The report also highlights that global climate change is accelerating, with 2024 becoming the hottest year on record.
It also notes that while advancements in artificial intelligence technology empowers development, they may also introduce security risks and governance challenges.
Despite these obstacles, professionals remain optimistic regarding trade, cooperation and development among Global South countries.
"Despite the current significant challenges facing the world, peace and development remain the main global trends. While issues such as unilateralism, protectionism and threats to international rules persist, global trade continues to grow, with trade in services and trade within the Global South continuing to expand. In particular, cooperation within the Global South has fostered new pathways and momentum for global economic growth," said Wang Jinzhao, executive deputy director of the Center for International Knowledge on Development.
The report also reveals that the influence of the Global South is on the rise, with its share of the global economy increasing from 25 percent in the 1980s to over 40 percent last year.
Since 2000, the proportion of global merchandise trade by the Global South has also grown significantly, climbing from 30 percent to 45 percent.
In light of this, the report calls for enhancing the representation and voice of the Global South countries in international affairs, strengthening investment in key areas such as manufacturing, green and low-carbon development and digital infrastructure, and emphasizing the importance of independent development capabilities of the Global South nations.
"Actually China is already playing a major role in promoting South-South cooperation. China has brought new dynamics to South-South cooperation, which has proven to be a major tool for development and also fighting for the preservation of a rule-based system in the area trade. Open source of sharing technologies, advances in agriculture actually improve the relationship among developing countries, which shows them that we need to rely more on ourselves, on the Global South. I think everybody is waiting, is supporting the role that China can play in promoting development globally on the basis of solidarity, cooperation, understanding that we need to improve the [lives of] human beings around the world," said Carlos Correa, executive director of the South Center, a Geneva-headquartered intergovernmental organization of developing countries.
Global Development Report 2025 released in Beijing, focusing on Global South
