Geneva, Switzerland — Delegates from over 30 developing nations convened in Geneva on Thursday, calling for strengthened cooperation and unity amid escalating global trade tensions.
The dialogue, co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva and the South Center, focused on the impact of rising trade disputes on developing countries. Representatives discussed strategies to navigate the challenges posed by protectionist policies and to promote mutual growth.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, emphasized the need for collective action. “Unilateral and protectionist practices are depriving developing countries of growth opportunities and disrupting the global economic order,” he stated, referencing recent global trade policies. “China remains committed to openness and win-win cooperation. We will strengthen ties with other developing nations and uphold the multilateral trading system centered around the UN and WTO.”
Echoing this sentiment, Wu Hailong, board member of the South Center and president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, highlighted the negative effects of trade tariffs on emerging economies. “These measures have hampered trade and economic growth, impacted global supply chains, and unsettled financial markets,” he noted. “We aim to work closely with the international community to address these challenges together.”
Attendees unanimously agreed on the importance of bolstering South-South trade cooperation to promote development and achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The gathering underscored the collective resolve of developing countries to find common ground and mutual support in times of economic uncertainty.
The South Center, headquartered in Geneva, is an intergovernmental organization that brings together 55 developing countries to promote their common interests on the global stage.
