Amidst the vibrant flowers of early winter in Guangzhou, the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum (ISIF) held at the Imperial Springs International Convention Center opened in Guangzhou on December 4th, drawing a full house of distinguished guests. The theme of the 2023 ISIF is "Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation". Over 130 guests from political, academic, and business circles in more than 40 countries engaged in profound exchanges and discussions, advocating for the practice of genuine multilateralism.

With its inauguration in 2014, the ISIF is now jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia-China Friendship and Exchange Association, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and World Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid. With the aims of initiating substantive discussions on world peace, economic development and cultural exchanges, promoting greater understanding and consensus among all parties, for regional as well as global cooperation, ISIF is a new type of high-end platform for China to conduct in-depth communication with the rest of the world.

"The current international situation is complex and multifaceted, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The theme of the ISIF, 'Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation,' aims to emphasize to the international community the importance of achieving consensus through communication, resolving conflicts through inclusiveness, and realizing development through cooperation." Chau Chak Wing, President of the Australia-China Friendship and Exchange Association and Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Leadership Alliance expressed his expectation for insightful individuals to engage in in-depth discussions on the topics, exchange ideas, and contribute more wisdom to the development of global peace.

According to Chau Chak Wing, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have emerged as one of the most dynamic economic powerhouses in the world today. With robust economic prowess, comprehensive industrial supply chains, and a thriving innovation ecosystem, they have become highly sought-after investment destinations for multinational corporations. Since its establishment, the ISIF has made a group of good and true friends. We all agree that opposing each other is not beneficial, and win-win cooperation is the only choice. Sincere wishes will be made for the resounding success of the "2023 ISIF".

During the conference, guests focused on what true multilateralism means and engaged in in-depth discussions on how to practice it. Danilo Turk, Former President of Slovenia and President of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, emphasized the crucial role of multilateral institutions, stating, "Our goal is not only to establish a multipolar world but also to coordinate multipolarization through the power of multilateral institutions." Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Former President of Latvia, stated that China's Belt and Road Initiative is the best interpretation of multilateralism.

Zheng Yongnian, former dean of the Institute for International Affairs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and chairman of the Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, pointed out that the current international community is facing frequent conflicts, economic downturns, and rising trade protectionism, leading the world from order to disorder. He emphasized the need to face the disorder to ensure global development. "Although multipolarity has already formed in the world, the corresponding global governance system has not yet taken shape," he said. According to Zheng, we need to improve the governance system by practicing true multilateralism. The purpose of the forum is to achieve this by "reaching consensus through exchanges and discussions, helping us understand what true multilateralism is, and making multilateralism more inclusive".

It is reported that, in addition to the opening ceremony, the 2023 ISIF has organized multiple parallel forums, focusing on seven topics including "Global Strategic Stability," "Driving Economic Recovery and Global Cooperation," "Global Challenges and Solutions," "Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," "The Global Development, Security and Civilization Initiatives" and "Development of the Belt and Road Initiative and Promoting the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity," "Friendly People-to-People Exchanges and the Future Development of the World", and "Multilateralism and Reforming Global Governance."

The ISIF has successfully conducted seven sessions to date, and each forum has addressed prominent issues in global governance. Participants engaged in discussions on topics such as "Multilateralism 2.0: Global Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era","Multilateralism and Sustainable Development", "Advancing Reform and Opening Up, Promoting Win-Win Cooperation", "Global Governance and China's Perspective", "Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Cities in the Belt and Road Initiative", "Belt and Road Initiative - New Opportunities and New Cooperation" and "China-Australia Economic and Trade Relations", which have yielded fruitful outcomes.

凝聚开放共识，践行多边主义，“2023从都国际论坛”在广州开幕

初冬的广州繁花似锦，从都国际会议中心内高朋满座。12月4日，“2023从都国际论坛”在广州开幕。本次论坛以“多边主义：更多交流、更多包容、更多合作”为主题，来自40多个国家的130 多位政界、学界和商界等领域的嘉宾展开深入交流与讨论，为践行真正的多边主义发声鼓劲。

“从都国际论坛”创办于2014年，由中国人民对外友好协会、澳中友好交流协会、广东省人民政府和世界领袖联盟联合举办。论坛旨在深入探讨世界和平、经济发展和文化交流等各领域的重要议题，推动区域和全球合作，是中国与世界深度交流的新型高端平台。

“当前国际形势错综复杂，人类社会面临前所未有的严峻挑战，从都国际论坛以‘多边主义：更多交流、更多包容、更多合作’为主题，就是要向国际社会强调以交流凝聚共识，以包容化解对立，以合作赢得发展。”澳中友好交流协会会长、世界领袖联盟亚太区主席周泽荣表示，期待各位有识之士围绕议题深入交流，集思广益，为世界和平发展贡献更多的智慧。

他说，今天的广州、广东、粤港澳大湾区已经成为全球经济发展活力最为强劲的地区之一，经济实力雄厚，产业链完备，创新要素集聚，是跨国企业的投资落脚地。今天是“从都朋友圈”疫情来的首次面对面聚会，非常难得，预祝“2023年从都国际论坛”取得圆满成功。

会议期间，嘉宾们聚焦什么是真正的多边主义，如何践行多边主义展开深入交流。世界领袖联盟主席、斯洛文尼亚前总统达尼洛·图尔克强调了多边主义国际机制的重要性，“我们的目标不仅仅是建立一个多极世界，还要通过多边机构的力量协调多极化。”拉脱维亚前总统瓦伊拉·弗赖贝加说，中国提出的“一带一路”倡议是对多边主义最好的诠释。

香港中文大学（深圳）前海国际事务研究院院长、广州粤港澳大湾区研究院理事长郑永年指出，当前国际社会冲突频发，经济下行，贸易保护主义抬头，世界陷入从有序转向无序的乱局，世界的发展需要直面乱局。“虽然现在世界的多极化已经形成，但相应的全球治理体系尚未成型。”他表示，我们需要通过践行真正的多边主义完善治理体系，论坛举办的目的也在于此，“通过交流讨论达成共识，帮助我们弄清什么是真正的多边主义，同时让多边主义更具有包容性。”

据悉，除开幕式外，“2023从都国际论坛”设置了多个平行论坛，重点讨论七个议题：全球战略稳定；推动经济复苏与全球合作；全球性挑战与应对；气候变化，实现2030年可持续发展议程；“三大全球倡议”与共建“一带一路”倡议，推动构建人类命运共同体；民间友好交往与世界未来发展；多边主义与全球治理变革。

“从都国际论坛”至今已成功举办了七届，历届论坛所设置的议题均直面全球治理突出问题。与会嘉宾围绕“多边主义2.0版——后疫情时代的全球合作”“多边主义与可持续发展”“改革开放与合作共赢”“全球治理与中国主张”“一带一路框架下：包容、可持续发展和可抵御风险的城市”“一带一路：新机遇 新合作”“中澳经贸关系”等主题展开了深入探讨，取得了丰硕的成果。

文 | 记者 黄闻禹
图 | 记者 龚吉林
责编｜乐丹娜 王瑜瑛