The 2021 Imperial Springs International Forum attracts more than 150 former state leaders, heads of international organizations and academic and business leaders from over 30 countries and regions to discuss online and on-site. CHINA DAILY

The 2021 Imperial Springs International Forum that ended in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Monday has become a high-end platform for comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

The annual event－this year was the seventh－has been able to play a role in promoting multilateralism and expanding global cooperation to help boost economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, organizers said.

He Yafei, former vice-minister of foreign affairs, read out the 2021 Imperial Springs Statement at the closing ceremony on Monday, which highlights the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation in coping with global crises and international affairs.

He said the forum's participants conducted in-depth discussions and exchanged views on a number of issues of common concern and reached a broad consensus on the importance of multilateralism as evidenced in global cooperation in the post-pandemic era.

The topics included the public health and global cooperation, building a community of common health for mankind; post-pandemic economic recovery, revitalizing globalization; economic and social development and climate change: realizing the 2030 Agenda; unconventional global challenges and responses; upholding multilateralism and reshaping the global governance system; and responsibility and action of leaders and the world future.

Humankind shares a common future, and China is a firm supporter and practitioner of multilateralism, he said. "We call for better emergency preparedness, enhanced global cooperation in the public health sector, and the development of prevention and treatment mechanisms for all, as no country is safe until all are safe."

Global cooperation is at a low ebb and declining, while global threats continue to rise, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his speech to the forum via video link. New multilateral solutions are in want so as to cope with the crises, including climate change, increasing inequality and cyberspace war, he said.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of global cooperation in vaccines and international travel, he said, adding that he has recently proposed a more inclusive, interconnected and effective type of multilateralism.

Experts share opinions on global issues at the forum in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. CHINA DAILY

The two-day forum, themed Multilateralism 2.0: Global Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era, was attended online or in person by more than 150 former state leaders, heads of international organizations and academic and business leaders from more than 30 nations and regions around the world.

Of them, nearly 30 were former heads of state and leaders of international organizations and more than 20 were foreign envoys to China.

The event that included several parallel sessions was held in Guangzhou's Conghua district, known for its ecological excellence.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former president of Latvia, co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former president of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, said China has been exemplary in applying public health measures to protect its citizens.

"We have seen how China was able to energetically contain novel coronavirus with very strong measures," she said.

She urged global cooperation in fighting the pandemic in the months to come. "Viruses do not accept borders. They fly over borders and across political systems," she said.

Vike-Freiberga has been an old friend of the forum. She has attended the forum several times.

Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations, said China has greatly contributed to the global fight against the pandemic.

"No country is an island, and trade technology and tourism can continue to bring us ever closer," he said.

"The multilateralism is the most important system and tool, and under the multilateralism, we can solve all the global crisis," he said.

Ban said the global community should further advance cooperation in coping with climate change and fighting the pandemic.

Zheng Yongnian, presidential chair professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, said China's multilateralism is an inclusive and open multilateralism that aims at coping with global crises and overcoming international problems. "China's multilateralism welcomes all nations and regions around the world, instead of only a small number of allies."

The world now needs to establish a new type of multilateralism and a new type of international order to cope with global crises as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and terrorism have become the public enemy of mankind, he said.

Chau Chak Wing, president of the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, and chair of the Asia-Pacific Region of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid President's Circle, said the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading in many countries and regions around the world, and the globe is still facing severe challenges.

The theme of the forum "expresses our common aspirations and expectations for safeguarding multilateralism and strengthening global cooperation", Chau said.

Chau, also co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Global Circle, made the remarks while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony on Sunday.

"The pandemic situation in the 21st century has caused a lot of inconvenience to our traditional face-to-face communication," he said.

However, the friend circle of the Imperial Springs International Forum has reached closer hearts, deeper understanding and more consensus, Chau added.

Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia and president of World leadership Alliance－Club de Madrid, said in his video speech at the closing ceremony on Monday that global problems require global solutions and they can be solved only through effective multilateral cooperation.

Turk said he reaffirmed the commitment to contribute to strengthening multilateralism in the future.

"The Imperial Springs International Forum will be a necessary platform for us to practice our efforts," he added.

The forum, founded in 2014, is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Guangdong provincial government and World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid. It is organized by Guangzhou-headquartered Kingold Group and Imperial Springs Guangzhou.