Sixteen years since it began to convene summits as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, the Group of 20 (G20) has reached another milestone. The African Union (AU), representing the continent with the largest number of developing countries, attended this year's summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a full member for the first time. Its inclusion has amplified the Global South's voice, as evidenced by the greater prominence given to development at this year's meeting.

At the opening of the G20 Summit on November 18, Brazil launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The alliance draws together 148 founding members including 82 countries to raise resources and pool knowledge for hunger and poverty reduction.

When it comes to the fight against poverty, China has much to share. China has conducted an anti-poverty campaign on a scale unseen anywhere in the world. By the end of 2020, it had eradicated absolute poverty, meeting the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule.

The key to China's success lies in its targeted approach. The whole of society has been mobilized to help underdeveloped areas generate growth by fostering industries and upgrading infrastructure in light of local conditions. Also, arrangements were made to encourage well-off regions to provide support to less developed ones on a one-to-one basis. "If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too," President Xi Jinping said at Session I of the G20 Summit.

In addition to perseverance at home, an enabling international environment counts for poverty alleviation. By inaugurating the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, G20 leaders have reiterated their commitment to helping developing countries better integrate into global industrial, value and supply chains and accelerate industrialization.

In President Xi's words, the goal is to "build a just world of common development." Going forward, more resources should be channeled into trade, investment and development cooperation in an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment to bridge the North-South gap. Also, in an era when sustainability matters more than ever, developing countries should be assisted in pursuing digital, smart and green development.