From December 3 to 5, 2023, 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 the World 
Leadership Alliance - Club de Madrid jointly organized the 2023 Imperial 
Springs International Forum (ISIF) at the Imperial Springs International 
Conference Center, Guangzhou, China. Under the theme of Multilateralism: More 
Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation, the Forum addressed pressing 
challenges for global Cooperation.

More than 130 guests from political, academic, and business circles in over 40 
countries, including over 30 former heads of state, heads of government, and 
leaders of international organizations, over 60 internationally-renowned 
experts and scholars and representatives of diplomatic missions, attended the 
Forum.

During the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum, participants had in-depth 
discussions on a number of topics, including the building of a community with a 
shared future for mankind, prospects for the global economy, traditional and 
non-traditional challenges and solutions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development and the need for climate action, people-to-people exchanges, and 
the future of multilateralism and global governance reform. 

The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum clearly noted that all should 
overcome fragmentation through exchanges, resolve antagonism through 
inclusiveness, and achieve a common future through cooperation. All should work 
together to tackle global risks and challenges, and create a brighter future 
for the world.

The Forum has called for multilateralism to address global challenges. All need 
to firmly uphold the authority and central role of the United Nations, embrace 
the UN Charter as the basis for international relations, and adhere to the 
concept of global governance based on dialogue, consultations, joint 
development and shared interests. International and regional organizations as 
well as multilateral cooperation mechanisms should align efforts to strengthen 
multilateralism and be builders of world peace and contributors to global 
development.

The world has entered a period of comprehensive digital transformation. 
Technological innovation remains a global strategic priority and a leading 
force for development based on innovation-driven productivity. The Forum called 
on countries to invigorate the potential of cooperation in traditional fields, 
expand the vitality of cooperation in new fields such as artificial 
intelligence and digitalization, promote the deep integration of the real and 
digital economies, and give full play to the key role of science and technology 
in solving global crises.

The attending guests unanimously agreed that the foundation of friendly 
cooperation among all countries in the world lies in the people. All should 
continue to give full play to the unique and important role of people-to-people 
diplomacy in communicating with the world, deepening understanding, enhancing 
mutual trust, forging consensus, and promoting cooperation. 

Source: The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum