Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia and China, as well as the majority of countries in the world, share the aspiration for equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in order to achieve comprehensive, sustainable and long-term economic progress and social well-being, on the basis of respect for the diversity of civilizations and the right of every country to choose their own development model. The BRI is based on such fundamental principles.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

We can say with pride that the Belt and Road Initiative has been widely recognized and has become a grand platform for international cooperation. The BRI has become a global public good that can help countries navigate this turbulent international landscape and meet global challenges. There is no exaggeration in saying that the BRI has injected new vitality into the ancient silk road.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo

I hope that the Belt and Road Initiative's synergy in infrastructure development can continue to be strengthened. And amidst an increasingly divided world, Belt and Road cooperation must not be politicized. This requires our collective efforts in maintaining its core values for this initiative to become stronger and more impactful.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez

Against the backdrop of ongoing regional frictions, the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed on the basis of the principle of building together, has become a promising international initiative for global cooperation.

For supporters of multilateralism like us, the Belt and Road Initiative is a mechanism that promotes relations among countries. This initiative does not compete with existing regional mechanisms, but promotes synergy by bringing out the strength of participating countries.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

The African continent is in high demand of sustainable and dignified development. And through BRI investments, many jobs have been created and livelihoods improved, and road and railway projects are linking previously unconnected places.

People-to-people relations are being enhanced both within and across countries. The principle of connectivity in the Belt and Road Initiative has also offered African countries alternative sources of capital, technology and skills needed for our modernization agenda.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivers a keynote speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 18, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Infrastructure is the foundation of everyday life for people and economies, from drinking water and basic sanitation to electricity, connectivity and internet access, from public services like schools and hospitals to modern roads, bridges, tunnels, harbors and railways that keep people and goods moving. And yet billions in the developing world lack access to these basic systems. And that is why this meeting and the Belt and Road Initiative are so important.