Premier Li Qiang Addresses UN General Assembly, Calls for Global Unity and Shared Future

Premier Li Qiang Delivers Keynote at 80th UN General Assembly

Chinese Premier Li Qiang addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the UN headquarters in New York. His speech underscored themes of peace, shared security, and China's commitment to global development, urging the international community to embrace multilateralism and reject confrontational approaches. The address coincided with the 80th anniversary of both the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, a historical context that Premier Li emphasized as crucial for contemporary global challenges.

Emphasizing Fairness, Justice, and Cooperation

In his remarks, Premier Li Qiang asserted that 'Fairness and justice stand as the most important values of the international community,' and that 'solidarity and cooperation represent the most powerful source of strength for human progress.' He warned against the resurgence of unilateralism and 'Cold War mentality,' stating that the international order established over the past eight decades is under serious challenge and that 'Humanity has once again come to a crossroads.' Li called for all countries to be treated as equals, regardless of size, and stressed that 'Solidarity lifts everyone up, while division drags all down.'

China's Vision for Global Governance and Development

Premier Li highlighted China's ongoing efforts and initiatives aimed at fostering a more equitable and peaceful world. He reiterated President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, alongside the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the recently proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI). The GGI, introduced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit earlier this month, advocates for sovereign equality, adherence to international rule of law, and a people-centered approach.

China's practical contributions to global stability were also detailed. The Premier noted that China is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest provider of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the Security Council. He affirmed China's active role in promoting peace talks for hotspot issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and mentioned the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation with over 30 countries.

Commitments to Sustainable Development and Innovation

Further demonstrating China's commitment to global development, Li Qiang announced several new initiatives. China will establish a China-UN Global South-South Development Facility with an initial budgetary support of US$10 million. Additionally, in partnership with the UN Development Program (UNDP), a global center for sustainable development will be set up in Shanghai to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda. Over the next five years, China plans to implement 50 development cooperation programs in culture and civilization for developing countries and host 200 thematic training and seminar programs.

Addressing emerging global challenges, Premier Li called for concerted efforts on climate change, emphasizing 'common but differentiated responsibilities' and the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. He also highlighted China's proposal for a Global AI Governance Initiative and its advocacy for a world AI cooperation organization. In a symbolic gesture of scientific collaboration, Li announced that China would present lunar soil samples collected by its Chang'e 6 mission from the far side of the moon to the United Nations.