Global Security Initiative aimed at breaking shackles of uncertainty

THE world over has been gripped by the stealthy hand of uncertainty, and this perilous position is itself enveloping and exposing our very fragile global economic material conditions.

The uncertainty is, among others, around economic recovery, health and safety and the very tenuous conflict situations playing themselves out in the Middle East and eastern Europe.

The escalation of some of these tensions and the global uncertainty that comes with conflict has sparked the launch of the Global Security Initiative, which will be headed and driven by China in the interest of peace and stability.

It will primarily be targeted at ensuring the creation of a global environment of peace and stability, ultimately easing the global uncertainty preventing us from seeing the boundless opportunities that lie ahead if we can all work together for a future of common prosperity.

The first step will be to create conditions that are permissible for sustainable global economic growth. Addressing this would ensure that we are able to redirect global recovery towards addressing the widening development gap that not only increases global tensions, but also creates conditions for domestic ills to thrive in local economies.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping put it at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, “the hardships and challenges are yet another reminder that humanity is a community with a shared future where all people rise and fall together, and that all countries need to follow the trend of the times featuring peace, development and win-win co-operation, move in the direction of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and rise to challenges and build a bright future through co-operation”.

The forum affirmed that security is the precondition for development. We can never create conditions for growth if we do not address the stifling effect of perceived and real security concerns around the globe. We need to address the very debilitating effects of fear-mongering reminiscent of the Cold War and resist all efforts to undermine inclusivity, collaboration, communication and mutual appreciation for values that underpin the peace of mind necessary to stimulate innovation and progressive economic and social participation. Hegemonism and power politics undermine the building of the environment necessary for the above-mentioned preconditions.

The Global Security Initiative underscores five main points for the attainment of its objectives:

The maintenance of peace and stability in the world.

Working together to tackle global governance challenges.

Safeguarding of regional peace. Advancement of regional co-operation.

Promotion of regional unity. All of these need deliberate and conscious action. The emphasis has been on collaborative efforts that will be essential to see this initiative through and carry out its noble endeavour to fruition. We need to safeguard respect, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, follow a policy of good-neighbourliness and friendship, and make sure that we always keep our future in our own hands.

In today’s world, unilateralism and the excessive pursuit of self-interest are doomed to fail; so are the practices of supply disruption and maximum pressure; so are the attempts to forge “small circles” or to stoke conflict and confrontation along ideological lines. Instead, we need to embrace a global governance philosophy that emphasises extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits, and promotes the common values of humanity.

We need to uphold true multilateralism, and safeguard the international system, with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important for major countries to lead by example in honouring equality, co-operation, good faith and the rule of law, and act in a way befitting their status.

Matiwane is the deputy president of the South African Students Congress