Sha Zukang, a former UN undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs, said the UN still plays a vital role in safeguarding multilateralism globally.

"The world economy is interconnected. China's growth will help Asia and even Europe's growth, and the development of North America and Europe will also benefit the growth of emerging markets and developing countries," Sha said.

Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization and the forum's moderator, said the founding of the UN 75 years ago raised hopes for a new era of peace and prosperity for all, and the organization has become the cornerstone of today's multilateral structures that work to manage and reduce shared global problems.

Speakers at the forum said China, which was among the first countries to sign the UN Charter in 1945 and has upheld the spirit of strengthening international cooperation, is a long-standing builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

During the pandemic, China has continued to strengthen cooperation with other countries, reinforcing the multilateral cooperation system by sending medical personnel and supplies to countries in need and serving global interests through its research on COVID-19.

Nicholas Rosellini, the resident coordinator of UN China, said the novel coronavirus pandemic is the biggest challenge facing humanity since World War II. To fight it, he said, the world must reaffirm the principles of the UN charter, strengthen trust and cooperation and guide the world toward fulfilling the goals of achieving sustainable development.