PARIS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The ninth Paris Peace Forum opened in the French capital on Tuesday, calling for reinforced multilateral cooperation to confront global challenges across security, climate, technology and development.
Held under the theme "From sovereignty to cooperation," the two-day forum brings together more than 350 global speakers across more than 80 discussion sessions. The agenda spans four primary tracks: peace and geopolitics, the planet, development, and emerging technologies. Alongside the main event, organizers are holding a "Child Summit" focused on children's welfare amid global shifts.
Organizers said this year's forum takes place against a backdrop of strain on multilateral institutions and international law, arguing that nations must strengthen mutual cooperation while preserving sovereignty to effectively address worldwide crises.
"Sovereignty does not mean turning inwards. It also means taking responsibility in cooperating," Philippe Etienne, president of the Paris Peace Forum, said during his opening address. He urged the international community to explore innovative approaches when traditional frameworks "have come at a standstill."
In a video address delivered at the opening session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described sovereignty as a core principle of the UN Charter, while noting that cooperation remains essential for nations to safeguard their own sovereignty. Guterres called on the international community to build a networked, multipolar world grounded in international law. The Paris Peace Forum was first held in 2018. ■