ANTANANARIVO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) reflects major appeals of the Global South countries and pushes for a more just and equitable international order, former Vice President of Seychelles Vincent Meriton has said.

In a recent written interview with Xinhua, Meriton said that the GGI comes at an "opportune moment," as the world is faced with challenges including widening inequality, prolonged conflicts and climate crisis. Meanwhile, unilateral sanctions and double standards are eroding the credibility and authority of the current global governance system.

The GGI is "a breath of fresh air" that brings "hope and encouragement" to global governance and resonates widely among Global South countries like Seychelles, said Meriton, who attended the 2025 Global South Media and Think Tank Forum held on Sept. 5-9 in Kunming, China.

The GGI adheres to sovereign equality and advocates for mutual respect among all countries, regardless of their size or strength, he said.

Noting that "unilateralism produces deadlock, while multilateral cooperation produces solutions," Meriton said the GGI supports the international rule of law and multilateralism. "It is a call to democratize global decision-making."

He praised the GGI's people-centered and results-oriented approach, describing it as the right prescription for enhancing the effectiveness of global governance. Meriton said true development is not about abstract numbers but about people, dignity, health, education and a sense of security, adding that effective global governance requires "coordinated, holistic and pragmatic solutions."

"The time for declarations without delivery has passed... Only by translating words into deeds can we restore faith in international cooperation," he stressed.

The GGI reflects what small nations like Seychelles have long called for: respect, fairness, justice and inclusion, Meriton said. "For the wider Global South, it means that we can finally stand together to reform a system that has marginalized us for too long."