Painting a New Pattern of Peace and Prosperity with the Global Governance Initiative – An Interview with Former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Djoomart Otorbaev

On October 28, the “Global Strategic Dialogue (2025) – The 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and the New Pattern of Global Governance” was successfully held at the Chinese Academy of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Djoomart Otorbaev, was invited to attend and deliver an opening speech. After the meeting, our reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Otorbaev. Combining the historical background of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations with the current state of global governance, Otorbaev elaborated on the role of the United Nations in maintaining world order and the necessity of reform, interpreting the significance of China’s proposed Global Governance Initiative for building an equal and orderly multipolar world. At the same time, drawing on the practice of friendly exchanges between China and Kyrgyzstan over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the operational experience of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) of “consensus first,” he shared the path of China and Kyrgyzstan strengthening collaboration through economic projects to address global governance, as well as reflections on how “Global South” countries can participate in inclusive and beneficial economic globalization and use platforms such as the BRICS mechanism to build consensus on cooperation.

10月28日，“全球战略对话（2025）——联合国成立80周年与全球治理新格局”在中国社会科学院中国历史研究院成功举办。吉尔吉斯斯坦前总理卓奥马尔特·奥托尔巴耶夫受邀出席并在开幕式致辞。会后，本报记者专访了奥托尔巴耶夫。奥托尔巴耶夫结合联合国成立80周年的历史背景与当前全球治理现状，阐述联合国在维护世界秩序中的作用及改革的必要性，解读中国提出的全球治理倡议对构建平等有序的世界多极化的意义；同时，结合中吉建交33年来两国友好交往的实践、上合组织“共识优先”的运作经验，分享中吉通过经济项目强化协作应对全球治理的路径，以及对“全球南方”国家参与普惠包容全球化、借助金砖机制等平台凝聚合作共识的思考。

The Global Governance Initiative Leads Governance Reform

全球治理倡议引领治理改革

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. How do you assess the role the United Nations has played in maintaining world order? What is the biggest challenge the United Nations currently faces? How should it be addressed?

《中国社会科学报》：2025年是联合国成立80周年，您如何评价联合国在维护世界秩序中发挥的作用？联合国目前面临的最大挑战是什么？如何应对？

Otorbaev: First, we must look back at history. The United Nations was born in the early period after the end of World War II, when its 51 founding member states shared a common determination to move from the ruins of war toward peace and to build a world where all peoples could coexist harmoniously. Now, 80 years later, the world has undergone earth-shaking changes.

奥托尔巴耶夫：首先，我们必须回望历史。联合国诞生于二战结束初期，当时51个创始成员国怀着共同的决心，立志从战争废墟中迈向和平，构建一个各国人民和谐共处的世界。如今80年过去，世界已发生翻天覆地的变化。

Today, the number of UN member states has increased to 193, but the key point is not the growth in numbers, but that compared to 1945, the “substance” of the member states is completely different. Therefore, the most urgent thing we need to do now is to pool wisdom and explore how to improve this institution—by no means to abolish it, but to promote its reform. Precisely for this reason, various voices and ideas from different countries and regions around the world are particularly important.

现在联合国成员国已增至193个，但关键不在于数量的增长，而在于与1945年相比，成员国的“内涵”已完全不同。因此，当下我们最迫切需要做的是集思广益探索如何完善这一机构——绝非取消它，而是推动其改革。正因如此，来自世界不同国家和地区的各类声音与想法都显得尤为重要。

The proposal of the Global Governance Initiative is timely and of great significance. China, as a major country, is not only an economic power but also a country that always looks to the future. China has put forward a development plan that is completely different from the West, with the core being respect for the sovereignty of all countries, adherence to the concept of non-violence, and advocacy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. It is precisely for this reason that the world needs to seriously consider how to restart relevant processes, enabling the United Nations, this unique international organization, to operate with greater efficiency.

全球治理倡议的提出恰逢其时，且意义重大。中国作为大国，不仅是经济大国，更是一个始终着眼未来的国家。中国提出了与西方截然不同的发展方案，核心是尊重各国主权、秉持非暴力理念、倡导互利共赢。也正因为如此，世界需要认真思考如何重启相关进程，让联合国这一独一无二的国际组织发挥更高效率。

SCO Practice Enhances Governance Effectiveness

上合实践提升治理效能

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: You have highly praised the important role of the SCO, calling it a “lighthouse” lighting the way in a turbulent era. How do you understand the uniqueness and importance of the SCO in the current global security landscape?

《中国社会科学报》：您曾高度评价上合组织的重要作用，认为它为动荡不安的时代点亮了一座“灯塔”。您如何理解上合组织在当前全球安全格局中的独特性和重要性？

Otorbaev: Indeed, the current UN system faces many management challenges—the large number of member states and the complex interweaving of interests make it difficult to advance many issues quickly. Therefore, in my view, the SCO may serve as a vivid example of efficient multilateral cooperation.

奥托尔巴耶夫：确实，当前联合国体系面临不少管理难题——成员国数量众多，各方利益错综复杂，导致许多议题难以快速推进。因此，在我看来，上合组织或许能成为高效多边合作的鲜活典范。

Currently, the SCO has 10 full member states, 2 observer states, and 14 dialogue partners. It has grown from its original 6 members to an “SCO family” covering 26 countries. Member states hold regular meetings, discuss various issues, and formulate practical and feasible documents—this is no easy task, because the implementation of all documents is based on the achievement of consensus.

目前，上合组织拥有10个正式成员国、2个观察员国和14个对话伙伴，已从最初的6个成员发展为涵盖26 个国家的 “上合大家庭”。成员国定期举行会晤，围绕各类议题展开讨论，并制定出切实可行的文件——这绝非易事，因为所有文件的落地都以共识的达成为基础。

The SCO summit held in Tianjin this year achieved very excellent results. Not only was a written statement issued, but more importantly, many ideas for improving the organization’s development were put forward, and a clear strategic plan for future development was formulated. I believe this was a highly effective meeting. I thank all participating countries; the joint efforts of all parties made this summit a great success.

今年在天津举行的上合组织峰会取得了十分出色的成果，不仅发表了书面声明，更关键的是提出了诸多完善组织发展的思路，为未来发展制定了明确的战略规划。我认为，这是一次极具成效的会议，感谢所有参会国家，各方的共同努力让此次峰会获得巨大成功。

The year 2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO. At that time, the Kyrgyz Republic will assume the rotating presidency, and the summit will be held in Bishkek. We have already started preparatory work, with the slogan: “SCO 25th Anniversary: Joining Hands for Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity.” I firmly believe that through the joint efforts of all countries, we can take another important step on the path of strengthening the SCO and promoting it as a model of an efficient multilateral institution.

2026年将是上合组织成立25周年，届时吉尔吉斯共和国将担任轮值主席国，峰会将在比什凯克举办，我们已启动筹备工作，口号为“上合组织成立 25周年：携手迈向可持续和平、发展与繁荣”。我坚信，通过各国共同努力，定能在强化上合组织、推动其成为高效多边机构典范的道路上，再迈出重要一步。

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: At the SCO Tianjin Summit, China first proposed the Global Governance Initiative, calling on all countries to work together to promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system. In your view, what does this initiative mean for building an equal and orderly multipolar world?

《中国社会科学报》：在上合组织天津峰会上，中国首次提出全球治理倡议，呼吁各国同心协力，推动构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系。在您看来，该倡议对构建平等有序的世界多极化意味着什么？

Otorbaev: Currently, the UN system has reached a time when reform is necessary. In my view, the operational model of the SCO may serve as a good example of efficient operation for multilateral institutions. Facing the rapidly changing geopolitical situation, escalating sanctions and conflicts, and the increasingly tense relationship between the West and the “Global South,” the SCO is becoming an important platform for resisting the imposition of development models by certain major powers on countries in Eurasia.

奥托尔巴耶夫：当前，联合国体系已到了必须改革的时刻。在我看来，上合组织的运作模式，或许能成为多边机构高效运作的良好范例。面对瞬息万变的地缘政治局势、持续升级的制裁与冲突，以及西方与“全球南方”日趋紧张的关系，上合组织正成为抵制某些大国向欧亚多国强加发展模式的重要平台。

From this perspective, the whole world, especially “Global South” countries, is closely watching the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China. In my region, Central Asia, all five member states also endorse this initiative. Now, we need to think about how to further promote the implementation of this initiative. We have always believed that the peaceful and efficient development of multilateral institutions is the only way to build a fairer world.

从这一角度出发，全世界尤其是“全球南方”国家，都在密切关注中国提出的全球治理倡议。我所在的中亚地区，五个成员国也均对这一倡议表示赞同。如今，我们需要思考如何进一步推动这一倡议落地。我们始终认为，多边机构的和平、高效发展，是构建更公平世界的唯一途径。

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: You have mentioned that “global governance needs to adapt to new circumstances.” Currently, global governance faces challenges such as insufficient effectiveness. The United Nations has also mentioned “promoting reform of international mechanisms,” and the Global Governance Initiative emphasizes “equal participation of all countries.” Under the framework of an equal and orderly multipolar world, in which areas can China and Kyrgyzstan cooperate to address the problem of insufficient global governance effectiveness?

《中国社会科学报》：您曾提及“全球治理需适应新形势”，当前全球治理面临效能不足等挑战，联合国也提及“推动国际机制改革”，全球治理倡议也强调“各国平等参与”。在平等有序的世界多极化框架下，中吉两国可以在哪些领域开展合作，以应对全球治理效能不足的问题？

Otorbaev: The Global Governance Initiative has been proposed for just over a month. It is currently in a critical stage of pooling wisdom and refining its implementation. This is by no means easy, but I believe we have the ability to overcome difficulties.

奥托尔巴耶夫：全球治理倡议已提出一个多月，当前正处于集思广益、细化落地的关键阶段。这绝非易事，但我相信，我们有能力克服困难。

The interaction and cooperation between Central Asian countries and China are full of hope, fruitful, and of great significance. Thirty-three years ago, China and Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations. From a temporal perspective, this is not a long time; but over these 33 years, we have gradually built trust, carried out cooperation, promoted mutually beneficial dialogue, and found the best solutions to various problems through consultation.

中亚地区的国家与中国的互动与合作历程充满希望、成果丰硕且意义非凡。33年前，中吉建立外交关系，从时间维度看并不算长；但在这33年间，我们逐步建立信任、开展合作、推进互利对话，通过协商为各类问题找到最佳解决方案。

Currently, China and Central Asian countries have jointly discussed many cooperation initiatives. The Global Governance Initiative needs time to be gradually implemented. I firmly believe that, given time, this initiative will continue to develop and improve.

目前，中国与中亚国家已共同探讨了诸多合作倡议。全球治理倡议需要时间逐步落地，我坚信，假以时日，这一倡议必将不断发展完善。

The “Global Strategic Dialogue” held this time by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences provides a timely and efficient platform for realizing this initiative. Now, academia is increasingly participating in the discussion of the initiative, offering suggestions for political decision-making. I believe this meeting will also achieve very positive results.

中国社会科学院此次举办的“全球战略对话”，为实现该倡议提供了及时且高效的平台。如今，学术界正越来越多地参与到倡议研讨中，为政治决策建言献策，我相信这次会议也必将取得非常积极的成果。

China-Kyrgyzstan Cooperation Promotes Inclusive and Stable Globalization

中吉合作促进全球化包容稳定

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing economic globalization today? Against the background of “inclusive and beneficial economic globalization,” how can China and Kyrgyzstan achieve a win-win situation between their own development and global inclusiveness through regional cooperation mechanisms (such as the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative)? What significance does this cooperation model have for other developing countries participating in globalization?

《中国社会科学报》：您认为当前经济全球化面临的最大挑战是什么？在“普惠包容的经济全球化”背景下，中吉两国如何通过区域合作机制（如共建“一带一路”倡议）实现自身发展与全球普惠的共赢？这种合作模式对其他发展中国家参与全球化有何意义？

Otorbaev: In my view, competition is crucial in economic development. To cooperate, one must be competitive; we must study hard, closely monitor global developments, and thus be able to participate in competition, cooperation, and exchange on a world scale. Therefore, we are open to competition.

奥托尔巴耶夫：在我看来，竞争在经济发展中至关重要。要开展合作，就必须具备竞争力；我们必须努力学习、密切关注全球动态，从而能够在世界范围内参与竞争、开展合作与交流。因此，我们对竞争持开放态度。

But the practices of some other countries and regions in the world are different: those countries and regions that have lost their competitiveness (such as the United States and the European Union) have begun to promote protectionism and set up trade barriers. Why, at the international level, do these countries hinder normal competition? This approach has no future.

但世界上其他一些国家和地区的做法却与此不同： 那些失去竞争力的国家和地区（如美国、欧盟）开始推行保护主义、设置贸易壁垒。为何在国际层面，这些国家要阻碍正常竞争？这种做法没有出路。

Although we belong to the “Global South” countries and are not developed countries, we are ready to participate in international competition and cooperation. We will not set up any form of barriers. We always promote free trade, free investment, and the exchange of people between countries, and cooperation in these areas will be further strengthened.

尽管我们属于“全球南方”国家，并非发达国家，但我们已做好参与国际竞争与合作的准备。我们不会设置任何形式的壁垒，始终推行自由贸易、自由投资，促进各国人员往来，且这些领域的合作还将进一步加强。

I believe that the vast Asian continent can fully become a model of prosperous development. Recently, the ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to jointly explore the reasons for ASEAN’s remarkable success. The ASEAN member states differ significantly, yet over the years they have worked together and developed jointly. This successful case has led countries to consider how to learn from its experience. In fact, there are many similar cases in the world that can serve as models for international cooperation and competition.

我认为，广袤的亚洲大陆完全可以成为繁荣发展的典范。近日，东盟峰会在马来西亚吉隆坡举行，共同探讨东盟取得显著成功的原因。东盟成员国差异显著，但多年来始终携手合作、共同发展。这一成功案例，让各国都在思考如何借鉴其经验。事实上，世界上还有许多类似案例，都可作为开展国际合作与竞争的典范。

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: Currently, regional conflicts, unilateralism, and other challenges affect the “equality” and “orderliness” of the global order. Both China and Kyrgyzstan are committed to promoting stability in Central Asia. Under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), what cooperative measures can the two countries take to maintain regional security and stability?

《中国社会科学报》：当前，地区冲突、单边主义等挑战影响全球秩序 “平等性”与“有序性”。中吉均致力于促进中亚地区稳定，在上合组织框架下，两国可通过哪些合作举措维护地区安全稳定？

Otorbaev: This is a very comprehensive question. As I mentioned in my previous answer, our country and other Central Asian countries are willing to cooperate with the external world, especially since we are landlocked regions — landlocked countries must get along well with each other.

奥托尔巴耶夫：这是一个非常全面的问题。正如我在之前的回答中提到的，我国及中亚其他国家都愿意与外部世界开展合作，尤其我们地处内陆地区——内陆国家之间必须彼此友好相处。

I can list many exciting economic projects we have jointly implemented with various countries, such as the new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. As a landmark project of cooperation under the **Belt and Road Initiative**, it will not only shorten freight transit times between China and Europe but also transform the Central Asian region into an important transportation hub on the Eurasian continent, promoting regional economic cooperation and development and enhancing global connectivity.

我可以列举诸多我们与各国共同实施的、令人振奋的经济项目，例如中吉乌新铁路项目，作为共建“一带一路”倡议合作的标志性工程，它不仅将缩短中欧货运时间，还将把中亚地区变为欧亚大陆上的重要交通枢纽，促进区域经济合作与发展，增强全球互联互通。

There are many more projects that will further strengthen our cooperation and collaboration, but the primary prerequisite is building trust. As the ancient Chinese thinker Confucius said: “A man without trust — I do not know what he is capable of.” [5]5 A quotation from the *Analects* of Confucius (Lunyu, “Wei Zheng” chapter), emphasizing the necessity of trustworthiness (xin, 信) for human conduct. In the course of cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan, we have built mutual trust step by step: every difference and every problem between the two sides is fully discussed and resolved in an open atmosphere. This is precisely the way to build trust and the necessary path to creating a more harmonious future.

还有很多项目都将进一步加强我们的合作与协作，但首要前提是建立信任。正如中国古代思想家孔子所言：“人而无信，不知其可也。” 在中吉两国的合作历程中，我们一步步建立起互信：双方存在的每一个分歧、每一个问题，都会在开放的氛围中得到充分讨论并加以解决。这正是构建信任的方式，也是打造更和谐未来的必由之路。

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: You have long focused on global governance reform and international development issues. Based on the practice of China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation, how do you think developing countries can better build consensus and cooperate in promoting “equal and orderly multipolarity” and “inclusive and beneficial globalization”? What insights can China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation provide for global governance cooperation among developing countries?

《中国社会科学报》：您长期关注全球治理改革与国际发展议题，从中吉合作的实践来看，您认为发展中国家在推动“平等有序的多极化”与“普惠包容的全球化”过程中，应如何更好地凝聚共识、开展合作？中吉合作可为发展中国家间的全球治理合作提供哪些启示？

Otorbaev: If you want to cooperate, you must engage in dialogue, but achieving equal dialogue is often far from easy. As partners, both sides must communicate on the same level — possessing equal understanding and similar levels of knowledge. From this perspective, China has undoubtedly set many excellent examples for other countries.

奥托尔巴耶夫：若想开展合作，就必须进行对话，但实现平等对话往往绝非易事。作为合作伙伴，双方必须在同一水平线上进行沟通——拥有同等的理解能力、相近的知识水平。从这一角度而言，中国无疑为其他国家树立了诸多优秀典范。

Therefore, to achieve equal dialogue, one must be fully prepared: having sufficient knowledge to put forward one’s own ideas, as well as the ability to respond effectively to others’ proposals. Today, some dialogues in the world are not truly equal dialogues, and thus they struggle to produce practical results. This brings us back to the issues of universal education and deepening the understanding of global development processes. But I believe that in Asia (including Central Asia and Southeast Asia), there are already many development practices worth learning from, and countries have established different types of cooperative institutions.

因此，若想实现平等对话，就必须做好充分准备：既要具备足够的知识储备，能够提出自己的想法，也要有能力对他人的提议作出有效回应。如今，世界上有些对话并非真正的平等对话，因此难以产生实际效果。这就又回到了教育普及、对全球发展进程认知深化的问题上。但我认为，在亚洲（包括中亚、东南亚地区）已有许多值得借鉴的发展实践，各国也建立了不同类型的合作机构。

We are constantly learning how to work together: China is learning, Central Asia is learning, ASEAN is learning, and we will deepen cooperation through different forms and platforms.

我们正在不断学习如何携手合作：中国在学习，中亚在学习，东盟也在学习，我们将通过不同形式、不同平台深化合作。

I would also like to mention the BRICS cooperation mechanism — a unique institution that, despite having no formal charter, wields enormous global influence. Every BRICS leaders’ summit has been a complete success. This multilateral platform provides a good example for global cooperative development. The BRICS cooperation mechanism belongs to the “Global South.” Today, the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of BRICS countries has surpassed that of the Group of Seven (G7). This mechanism is not aimed at targeting Western countries; its core goal is to promote the prosperity and cooperation of “Global South” countries.

我还想提及金砖国家合作机制——这是一个独特的机构，虽无正式章程，却在全球拥有巨大影响力，每一次的金砖国家领导人峰会都取得了圆满成功。这一多边平台为全球合作发展提供了良好范例。金砖国家合作机制属于“全球南方”机制，如今金砖国家的综合国内生产总值（GDP）总和已超过七国集团（G7）。这一机制无意针对西方国家，其核心目标是促进“全球南方”国家的繁荣与合作。

Academic Research Provides Intellectual Support for Global Governance

学术研讨为全球治理提供智力支持

*Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: Our core readership is mostly academic researchers and practitioners, primarily focusing on important topics such as the new pattern of global governance. What would you like to share with this group?

《中国社会科学报》：我们的核心读者多为学术界研究者与从业者，主要聚焦全球治理新格局等重要议题，您对这一群体有哪些分享？

Otorbaev: The academic community plays a crucial role in political decision-making. Scientists and researchers can conduct discussions and pool ideas in advance on important issues, not only domestic policy but also foreign policy. Therefore, it is particularly important to engage in exchanges with scholars from different fields in various forms (whether at the domestic or international level). This is precisely where the role of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is reflected.

奥托尔巴耶夫：学术界对政治决策有着至关重要的作用。科学家、研究人员不仅能针对国内政策，还能围绕外交政策等重要议题提前开展研讨、集思广益，因此，以各种形式（无论是国内层面还是国际层面）与不同领域的学者开展交流，显得尤为重要，中国社会科学院的作用也正体现于此。

China has a well-established education system that has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents, fully capable of being at the forefront of academic research — whether in the natural sciences or the social sciences. I firmly believe that the academic community must shoulder the responsibility of leading the world toward a more prosperous future.

中国拥有完善的教育体系，培养了大量优秀人才，完全有能力走在学术研究的前沿——无论是自然科学领域，还是社会科学领域均是如此。我坚信，学术界必须肩负起引领世界走向更繁荣未来的责任。

Reporter of *Chinese Journal of Social Sciences*: Chu Guofei

中国社会科学报记者 褚国飞

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧