China Launches Global Cooperation and Development Organization (GCDO) as Alternative to the UN
As of June 1, 2025, China has officially announced the formation of a new international institution—the Global Cooperation and Development Organization (GCDO). This bold move highlights Beijing’s growing ambition to reshape global governance and create a platform that better reflects the needs of developing nations and the Global South.
What Is the GCDO?
Name and Structure
- Official Name: Global Cooperation and Development Organization (GCDO)
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Membership: Open to all countries. However, the organization strongly focuses on Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Notably, over 60 countries have already expressed interest in becoming founding members.
Purpose and Vision
The GCDO’s mission is twofold. First, it seeks to serve as an alternative voice for countries that often feel marginalized within the current United Nations structure. Second, it aims to strengthen South-South cooperation in areas such as:
- Infrastructure development
- Poverty alleviation
- Technology transfer
- Climate adaptation
These goals align closely with China’s long-standing Belt and Road Initiative. Moreover, the GCDO promotes respect for national sovereignty and a policy of non-interference, both of which are central to China’s foreign policy approach.
How Will the GCDO Function?
Core Bodies
The GCDO will include several foundational structures to mirror and potentially complement those of the UN:
- Peace and Security Council: Unlike the UN Security Council, this body will rotate leadership positions and avoid permanent veto powers, encouraging more balanced participation.
- Development Bank: A newly established multilateral bank will finance large-scale infrastructure and social projects across member nations.
- Dispute Resolution Tribunal: This mechanism will offer arbitration and mediation, particularly in trade, investment, and cross-border cooperation.
Together, these functions aim to offer a more inclusive and practical framework for global collaboration.
Global Reaction: Mixed but Significant
Growing Support
Unsurprisingly, many developing countries have welcomed the GCDO. They see it as a long-overdue opportunity to gain a stronger voice in global matters and to access new funding and technology channels.
Western Concerns
However, reactions from Western powers have been less favorable. Some governments and international analysts argue that the GCDO may undermine the authority of the UN, fragment global governance, and promote alternative norms that could favor authoritarian regimes.
UN’s Stance
In response, the United Nations has acknowledged the GCDO’s formation. UN representatives have urged cooperation rather than competition, emphasizing that global challenges require shared standards and unity, not division.
Why Now?
China’s timing is strategic. The launch of the GCDO comes amid growing dissatisfaction with Western dominance in the UN and similar bodies. Over the years, China has repeatedly called for the democratization of global institutions, arguing that emerging economies deserve greater representation.
By founding the GCDO, Beijing is positioning itself as a leader of the Global South, offering an institutional platform that aligns with its vision of multipolar governance.
In Summary
China has launched the Global Cooperation and Development Organization (GCDO) to provide a new platform for international diplomacy, development, and conflict resolution. By emphasizing equality, development priorities, and non-interference, the GCDO aims to restructure global governance in a way that better serves developing nations.
While some countries view this initiative as a welcome evolution, others warn that it could further polarize international cooperation. Nevertheless, the GCDO’s emergence marks a potential turning point in global politics—and one that the world will be watching closely.
