Beijing, September 23, 2025 – Marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and at a pivotal moment for global governance reform during the 80th UN General Assembly, the book The UN at 80: Forging a Global Community with a Shared Future was officially launched at Communication University of China. This event formed a key part of the 20th anniversary celebrations for UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (adopted in 2005). Experts and scholars, cultural officials, and representatives from mainstream media across 18 countries—including China, the United States, France, Mexico, Argentina, Malaysia, Egypt, and Pakistan—gathered to witness the occasion.
Published in English, the volume was spearheaded by the Institute for a Community with a Shared Future (ICSF). It is edited by Li Huailiang, Zhang Yanqiu, and Wang Sixin, with Sun Yuhong and Zhang Suqiu serving as associate editors. Drawing on contributions from scholars across more than 10 countries on all five continents, the book offers a comprehensive collection of research blending academic rigor with an international perspective. It covers critical areas such as a review of UN practices and future prospects, safeguarding world peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, fostering cultural exchanges, and advancing sustainable development.
In the foreword, Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of Egypt, underscores that humanity stands at a critical crossroads where no nation can tackle global challenges alone—only collective action can pave the way forward. He emphasizes that civilizations have always risen through creative responses to adversity, and building a global community with a shared future is an inevitable call of our times. Core principles for realizing this vision, he adds, include sovereign equality among nations, respect for civilizational diversity, and a commitment to win-win cooperation.
At the launch event, ICSF Director Li Huailiang, one of the lead editors, delivered remarks highlighting how the vision of a global community with a shared future aligns seamlessly with the UN Charter's principles of multilateralism, international law, and collective responsibility. This concept, he noted, has earned strong endorsement from the UN and will inject fresh momentum into creating a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Overseas editorial board member Jean-Christophe Bas, Professor at the International Institute of Strategic and Relational Studies in France, remarked that global dialogue has become the indispensable starting point for rebuilding world order. Kusumoto Junichiro, Professor at Toyo University in Japan, pointed out persistent challenges in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, expressing hope that the shared future concept could help coordinate solutions. Bai Xin, President of Egypt's Hekma Group and a prominent Sinologist, affirmed that in our extraordinary era, diversity is not a barrier but humanity's greatest asset. We must ensure that voices from the Global South are heard loud and clear on the world stage, he said.
Associate Editor Sun Yuhong, Director of ICSF's International Affairs Office, presented an overview of the book's compilation process, editorial journey, and key contents. In an era of profound change, she stressed, the UN's achievements in upholding world peace and security, bolstering multilateralism, and pursuing sustainable development must be safeguarded collectively. The shared future vision, she added, unites with these efforts as a shared concern for all humanity's common destiny.
The contributors from various countries delve deeply into multifaceted key issues, organized into six thematic sections:
The UN's Future and Advancing a Global Community with a Shared Future: Explores the symbiotic relationship between the UN and the shared future vision, aiming to achieve global well-being.
Safeguarding World Peace and Security While Building a Shared Future: Analyzes the Global Security Initiative's contributions to the UN system and, in the context of the UN's 80th anniversary, examines the historical mission of global governance, its co-evolution, and links to the shared future concept.
Strengthening Multilateralism and Promoting a Shared Future: Examines the interplay between the UN and multilateralism, advocating for the reinforcement of relevant norms to drive the construction of a global community.
The Rise of the Global South and a Shared Future: Envisions new models of international relations under the shared future framework, crafts a novel paradigm of global rule of law for the Global South, and probes South-South cooperation in global governance.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a Pathway to a Shared Future: Positions the SDGs as a vital bridge to the shared future, elaborating on sustainable development rights amid green transitions and the UN's pivotal role.
Enhancing Cultural Exchanges to Build a Shared Future: Discusses preserving cultural diversity to uphold human dignity and a collective future, using UNESCO as a case study to analyze the logic and pathways for international organizations in fostering civilizational dialogue.
These profound reflections form the book's intellectual backbone, blending historical depth with sharp contemporary relevance and infusing transformative ideas into our era of change.
As a landmark academic achievement on the UN's 80th anniversary, The UN at 80: Forging a Global Community with a Shared Future distills the collective wisdom of global experts. Centered on the shared future vision, it offers theoretically robust and practically viable solutions to global governance dilemmas while building a solid platform for dialogue and collaboration among civilizations and nations at varying stages of development. Plans are underway to release multilingual editions, broadening the book's international reach and extending its insights and ideas to more countries and regions.
Written and Edited by: Zhang Suqiu and Sun Yuhong
Editor: Zhou Yan
Copy Editor: Liu Fenghai
