On September 19, 2023 local time, Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the High-level Meeting on Global Development Initiative Cooperation Outcomes hosted by China at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York.

Han Zheng pointed out that two years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, which aims to build international consensus on promoting development, foster new drivers for global development, and facilitate the common progress of all countries. Over the past two years, all parties have collectively cast an "affirmative vote" for development, expanded the "circle of friends" for cooperation, enriched the "resource pool" for development, and collaboratively built a "toolbox" for development. More than 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, and nearly 200 practical cooperation projects have been included in the GDI project pool. China has announced the launch of a special fund worth 10 billion U.S. dollars to implement the GDI.

Han Zheng said, currently, the world is facing significant challenges in achieving sustainable development goals as planned. Approximately 90 percent of the sustainable development goals are "off-track", with nearly one-third of the goals stagnating or even regressing. At the same time, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is in full swing, and all countries are presented with opportunities for transitioning towards higher-quality development. To this end, China puts forward four proposals: First, continue to uphold true multilateralism, bring development issues back to the front and center on the international agenda, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance. Second, strengthen the synergy between the development strategies of all parties and actively promote development cooperation at the global, regional, sub-regional and national levels to draw on each other's strengths. Third, fully mobilize various development resources to help developing countries address the most urgent and pressing difficulties. Fourth, actively explore areas of growth in practical cooperation and jointly explore technology-led, resource-conserving, and environmental-friendly paths of development.

Han Zheng stressed that on the path toward development, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the pure vision of the GDI, and the goal upheld by the UN. China looks forward to working together with all parties to promote the GDI in a sound and steady manner, forming a strong synergy to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and build a global community of development.

President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis delivered a video speech, and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina J. Mohammed delivered a speech on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres. Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Vice President of Uganda Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, as well as foreign ministers and ministerial-level officials from more than 20 countries delivered speeches at the meeting. More than 300 representatives from the Group of Friends of the GDI, member states of the Group of 77 and international organizations attended the meeting.

All parties extended congratulations on the significant progress made in GDI cooperation, and highly appreciated the positive and important role and contributions of the GDI in fostering development consensus, deepening international cooperation, and aiding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, among other aspects. They expressed that the initiative will bring more well-being to all countries, especially developing countries. They look forward to strengthening unity and cooperation with China, upholding multilateralism, implementing the GDI, and helping achieve the UN sustainable development goals.