Statement by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation H.E. Aleksandr Pankin at the High-Level Meeting of the Global Development Initiative
Dear colleagues, dear friends,
I am pleased to join in all congratulations to Chinese organizers and participants of this meeting, convened to mark the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
Today, it must be admitted that the global financial architecture under Western auspices that we inherited from the past is no longer up to the challenges we face. Instead of support, developing countries often encounter unilateral coercive measures, political conditionality, technological blockades and imposed debt burdens. All of this directly obstructs the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. But the world is undergoing a fundamental transformation. We witness the dawn of a more just and multipolar world order, where the voice of every sovereign State will be heard.
Russia sees the GDI as making a direct contribution to this transformation. It does so by translating the principles of equality and partnership, respect for national sovereignty, and each State’s development priorities into practical cooperation. These principles should guide our collective efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and shape its successor. And with our support, the countries of the World Majority, those striving for real economic sovereignty, have an important role to play in this process.
We believe the GDI’s priorities reflect the needs of the Global South. It supports food security, strengthens capacity in health and environmental protection, expands access to new technologies, including AI and digital solutions, and promotes capacity-building for long-term development. The GDI also brings together the UN, its funds and programmes, and the private sector in a broad partnership network. Pursued in a constructive and depoliticized manner, these efforts help developing countries achieve true sovereignty and overcome persistent manifestations of neo-colonialism.
Russia, for its part, is actively contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We are devoting significant efforts and resources to strengthening BRICS institutions, including the New Development Bank, which we co-founded. We advocate for the demonopolization of global finance, wider use of national currencies in international payments, and independent payment platforms. Our goal is to provide developing countries with reliable financial instruments and infrastructure protected from the risk of external coercion.
Our joint efforts should ensure the right of Global South countries to pursue independent policies, develop their economies according to their priorities, access the technologies they need, and build a sustainable future.
