President Xi Jinping has called on the countries of the Global South to work together to practice true multilateralism, and to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Xi made the statement in a congratulatory message sent to the two-day Global South Media and Think Tank Forum, which opened on Monday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Noting that the Global South is growing with strong momentum, Xi said that the grouping plays an increasingly important role in the cause of human progress.

He highlighted that China has always been a member of the Global South and will always belong to the developing world.

In the face of global changes of the century, pursuing modernization and working for a more just and equitable international order are the sacred historic missions of Global South countries and the common issues of the times for Global South media and think tanks, Xi said.

He expressed the hope that the forum's participants will build consensus and jointly amplify the "voice of the Global South" while showcasing the "commitment of the Global South".

Xi also urged the forum participants to contribute wisdom toward empowering the Global South to become a stabilizing force for peace, a backbone of openness and development, a constructive force in global governance, and a driving force for mutual learning among civilizations.

The forum, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Co, was held under the theme of "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South".

It took place ahead of Xi's upcoming state visit to Brazil, where he will also attend the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Under the Brazilian presidency, the G20 has adopted the motto "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet", focusing on three priority themes: energy transition, fair sustainable development (with an emphasis on combating hunger, poverty and inequality), and reform of multilateral institutions.

The Foreign Ministry said that Xi will deliver an important speech at the summit and engage in in-depth exchanges with leaders of various countries.

Beijing hopes that the summit will send a clear message to encourage all countries to work together to address challenges and achieve shared prosperity, and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference on Friday.

Observers said that China and Brazil, in the vanguard of emerging economies, will lead the way at the G20 Summit in Rio on unity and collaboration among countries of the Global South in improving global governance.

Xu Xiujun, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics, said that developed economies, which have long dominated global governance, are unwilling to assume more international responsibilities and are unable to provide more international public goods.

The Global South is increasingly taking a lead in global politics, demonstrating significant strategic value in global governance, Xu said, adding that the Global South is becoming an important force driving global governance toward a more just, fair and effective direction.

Last year, the GDP of emerging markets and developing economies, based on purchasing power parity, accounted for 58.85 percent of the global economy, according to the International Monetary Fund.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn