Former Iraqi president calls for peace, cooperation, equitable access to human rights

Former Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid has called for greater global cooperation to create a peaceful, stable and more just world, where people in developing countries are granted equitable access to human rights.

Rashid was speaking at the two-day Forum on Global Human Rights Governance, which kicked off in Beijing on Thursday.

Themed "Joint Development, Shared Human Rights: The 40th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development and a New Vision for Global Human Rights Governance," the event has attracted more than 400 participants from over 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations.

In his speech, Rashid stressed the need to settle conflicts and ensure stability in the world for development.

"Peace remains the essential condition for development, just as wars and conflicts destroy the achievements of nations and squander the opportunities for the future. Whatever differences may exist in perspective and interests, our shared responsibility requires us to work towards a more stable, just, and cooperative world," he said.

The former Iraqi leader thanked China and other countries for their support in Iraq's post-war reconstruction and response to climate change and water scarcity issues.

"Iraq has come a long way on the path of recovery and reconstruction, although much remains to be done. We have benefited from the support and partnership of many countries, including the People's Republic of China, which has made tangible contributions to the energy infrastructures and many projects in Iraq -- contributions that we highly appreciate," he said.

Noting that addressing climate change is a global phenomena, Rashid said the transition towards a green economy must be fair and balanced, with the needs of developing countries and the right of their people to development and stability taken into account.

Rashid said that the adoption of artificial intelligence opens up vast horizon for humanity, but urged for digital equality and the participation of developing countries in shaping and governing new technologies.

"We look forward to a more balanced, cooperative and equitable international order, one in which the right to development is regarded as a shared right of all humanity, not a privilege monopolized by a few nations. 40 years ago, the offers of the Declaration on the Right to Development believed in the possibility of building a more just and human world. Today, despite all the challenges, we continue to believe that this goal remains achievable, if there is a political will, a spirit of cooperation, a faith in human dignity and social justice, and the right of every person for a better future," Rashid said.

The forum saw the release of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030), which outlines China's work to protect human rights in the next five years. The Chinese government implemented its fourth human rights action plan between 2021 and 2025.

Former Iraqi president calls for peace, cooperation, equitable access to human rights

Former Iraqi president calls for peace, cooperation, equitable access to human rights

Former Iraqi president calls for peace, cooperation, equitable access to human rights

Delegates highly commented on China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance which opened in Beijing on Thursday, exploring new approaches to shared challenges.

Marking the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development, the two-day event focuses on advancing human rights through development and will foster discussions on global human rights governance issues.

Over 400 participants from over 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations (UN) are in attendance.

Ole Doering, professor with Hunan Normal University in China stated that the growing complexity of the world demands a new management theory, and that China's GGI opens new options for UN development.

"In the past, the world was complicated, but not as complex as today. We need an entirely new management theory of how to deal with that. That goes into the governance task that we have globally. I think what China is doing now is to open the new option for the development of the United Nations through the Global Governance Initiative," said the professor.

Muhammad Asif Noor, executive director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, an autonomous, nonpartisan research think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan, highlighted China's important and systematic diplomatic role in resolving conflicts in troubled regions around the world.

"China's role in the whole world is very important, especially in the conflicting areas and regions. China is systematically, and diplomatically resolving the conflicts among the nations," he said.

Chang Jian, director of the Center for Study of Human Rights at China's Nankai University, emphasized that through dialogue and shared experiences, building common understanding and solidarity is what matters most for human rights.

"We exchange ideas and share experiences. Through dialogue, we broaden our perspectives and build common understanding. On that basis, we emphasize solidarity, cooperation and shared development. I believe that is what matters most," Chang said.

Robert Persaud, foreign secretary of the Guyanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stated that despite different systems and views, respecting people's fundamental rights is non-negotiable.

"We may have different perspectives, different views on different subjects. We have different systems which have been operated. But respecting people's fundamental rights, I think that's something we should not compromise on," said Persaud.

The forum is jointly hosted by China's Information Office of the State Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Global experts highlight Global Governance Initiative's role in address challenges