Third BRF: A Beacon for High-Quality BRI Cooperation

The third BRF is more than just a diplomatic gathering; it symbolizes the realization of a visionary blueprint for a global community of shared future.
by Qaiser Nawab
Cpec
Aerial photo of the Karot Hydropower Project, the first hydropower investment project under the CPEC in Punjab province, eastern Pakistan, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Xinhua)

As the world eagerly awaits the commencement of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), a remarkable diplomatic event set to unfold in Beijing from October 17 to 18. Anticipation is running high. This forum, held under the theme “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity,” signifies a major milestone. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not only set to grace the opening ceremony with his presence but also deliver a keynote speech, host a welcome banquet, and engage in bilateral activities with esteemed guests who gather in China to attend the grand event.

The third BRF is more than just a diplomatic gathering; it symbolizes the realization of a visionary blueprint for a global community of shared future. The monumental Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has roots in history, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road that once linked Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange and propelled human progress, a legacy revived by President Xi’s visionary proposal of the BRI in 2013. His proposal united nations worldwide in a collective endeavor to promote peace, development, and shared prosperity.

Over the past decade, the BRI has transcended its conceptual stage, evolving into a tangible global reality. It has transformed the landscape of international cooperation, transcending political and ideological boundaries. By focusing on economic globalization and improving the global governance system, the BRI has presented practical solutions to global development challenges, aiding nations on their journey to modernization while fostering unity and cooperation for a shared future.

Central to the initiative are the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. These principles represent a departure from traditional geopolitical power struggles, emphasizing a more equitable and inclusive approach to international cooperation. Every nation, regardless of size or development stage, is recognized as having a role to play and a voice to be heard. This commitment translates into opportunities for countries to participate on equal footing and share their collective wisdom.

Extensive consultation nurtures multilateralism, enabling collective decision-making that respects each nation’s unique characteristics. It encourages collaboration among economies at various stages of development, establishing innovative cooperation mechanisms. These principles actively engage businesses, capitalizing on their expertise and resources for mutual gain, while looking to governments to play a pivotal role in creating platforms, establishing mechanisms, and providing guidance.

Shared benefits lie at the core of the initiative. It’s about promoting win-win cooperation to ensure that no country is left behind. The BRI prioritizes development, poverty eradication, job creation, and improvements in people’s well-being. It transcends mere infrastructure development to encompass areas like public health, education, and disaster mitigation. By promoting impactful projects, the initiative directly enhances the lives of people in participating countries, thereby realizing the vision of a global community of shared future.

The BRI is also dedicated to green, low-carbon development and respecting the natural world and its laws. It serves as a robust response to pressing global issues such as environmental degradation and climate change. By fostering cooperation on green infrastructure, renewable energy, eco-friendly transportation, and sustainable finance, the BRI stands at the forefront of combating climate change and advancing sustainable development.

Clean governance is an integral aspect of the initiative’s success. It ensures that resources and projects are managed with integrity and efficiency. Efforts to combat corruption and promote lawful operations guarantee that the initiative remains a beacon of clean governance and financial transparency.

The BRI sets a course towards global well-being, with a vision to create lasting peace, universal security, and sustainable prosperity. It represents a new model of international relations based on mutual respect, equity, justice, and win-win cooperation, fostering a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.

The initiative seeks to build a prosperous, inclusive, and balanced future by discarding exploitative colonialism in favor of win-win outcomes and shared development. By prioritizing development as a common goal, the BRI leverages resources and strengths to ignite the growth engines of participating countries, thus nurturing a new global economic growth center.

With a commitment to openness that transcends borders and ideologies, the BRI aims to create an environment conducive to open development and construct a system of international trade and investment rules that are fair, equitable, and transparent. The initiative seeks to build an open global economy that benefits all, echoing the shared commitment of the world to global economic interconnectivity.

In its pursuit of innovation, the BRI leverages digital and smart development to explore new business forms, technologies, and models. It seeks fresh sources of growth and innovative development pathways to drive transformative advancements. The initiative aims to build a resource-efficient, eco-conscious, and low-carbon Silk Road that makes significant contributions to addressing climate change.

Promoting equality, mutual learning, and inclusiveness among civilizations is the core of the BRI’s mission. It aims to foster mutual understanding, respect, and trust among nations, broadening consensus on ideas and values and achieving new human progress. By encouraging deeper exchange among political parties, social organizations, think tanks, and sub-national communities, the initiative aims to improve the lives of people around the world.

As we approach the third BRF, it is evident that the BRI is not just a collection of infrastructure projects. It is a visionary blueprint for a global community of shared future, embodying a commitment to equality, inclusiveness, and mutual benefits, embracing green and clean development, and paving the way to global well-being. The initiative provides a path to lasting peace, sustainable prosperity, openness, innovation, and social progress, offering a model of international cooperation that transcends traditional geopolitical rivalries and underscores the power of unity and cooperation. The forthcoming forum promises substantial outcomes and is sure to mark a pivotal moment in the journey toward a better world.

The author is president of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), a global think tank headquartered in Islamabad, established in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebration of the BRI.