Irina Bokova, former Director General of UNESCO and Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors of the European Union Asia Centre, stated on the 19th that the current international situation is complex and severe, with various global challenges emerging one after another. Only by adhering to multilateralism and deepening international dialogue and cooperation can we effectively address global challenges. No country can be self-sufficient, unilateralism is no longer appropriate. ”Bokova made the above statement during an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters at the "2026 Hong Kong Cooperation and Development Forum" held here on the same day. The International Court of Mediation, which will settle in Hong Kong in 2025, as an innovative measure in global governance, fills the institutional gap in the field of international dispute resolution. Bokova expressed her hope that the International Mediation Institute will grow into a truly global mediation platform, showcasing China's wisdom of "win-win cooperation" to the world. The International Court of Mediation has received support from numerous countries, with the number of signatories to the convention increasing from 37 at its establishment to 43, and the number of signatory states that have completed ratification increasing from 8 to 13. Bokova said that relying on this platform, international disputes can be resolved by adhering to the principles of mutual respect, full consultation, and equal decision-making, and abandoning the use of power pressure and military confrontation to solve problems. Countries should not view the world as a field of competition and confrontation, but should take practical measures to manage differences and eliminate conflicts. Bokova believes that nowadays, global geopolitical conflicts continue to intensify, multilateral cooperation mechanisms are constantly cooling down, and world peace and development are facing multiple obstacles. Coupled with the new challenges brought by climate governance and technological changes, the international community urgently needs to build more channels for dialogue and communication, build mutual trust on a global scale, improve risk warning and dispute mediation systems, and use a new development mindset to comprehensively address various global challenges. Bokova highly agrees with China's four major global initiatives, believing that they are based on the development needs of multilateralism and deeply in line with the purposes of the United Nations and the spirit of the UN Charter. Among them, the value of the global governance initiative is particularly prominent. The world is facing many challenges today, and this initiative precisely echoes the development vision of the United Nations' "Future Compact". The Global Civilization Initiative advocates for 'respecting the diversity of world civilizations', which resonates deeply with her. Bokova stated that in recent years, China's economic and social development has achieved remarkable results, and the eradication of absolute poverty is quite representative. The four global initiatives also emphasize China's continued proactive role, sharing development experience and practices, working together with countries around the world for win-win cooperation, and helping the world achieve sustainable development. Speaking of the "2026 Hong Kong Cooperation and Development Forum", Bokova said that Hong Kong has a unique geographical advantage of connecting the inside and outside. It is not only a window for China to connect with the world, but also a bridge for the integration of Eastern and Western civilizations and economic and trade exchanges. It is an ideal platform for hosting international high-end exchange conferences. She expects Hong Kong to leverage its role advantages and use the International Mediation Court as a pivot to assist the international community, especially the vast southern countries, in sharing the fruits of global governance and development. (Looking into the New Era)