Editor’s Note: On June 28, 2026, the graduation ceremony for the 2026 Class of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) was held at Chengze Garden, Peking University. The following text is the speech delivered by Professor HUANG Yiping, Boya Distinguished Professor of Peking University and Dean of ISSCAD.

Honorable guests, distinguished faculty, beloved families, and above all, the graduating Class of 2026:

Today brims with joy and pride. Looking out at all of you gathered here, I see a diverse cohort brimming with talent and aspiration. You hail from every corner of the globe, speaking different languages, yet bound by a rare, shared mission: you are the emerging leaders of the Global South.

This graduation marks far more than earning a degree from one of the world’s most prestigious institutions—it bestows upon you a vital calling. On behalf of all faculty at ISSCAD, I extend my sincerest congratulations to every graduate.

The Defining Challenge of Our Times

While we celebrate this milestone, we cannot ignore the stark realities awaiting you beyond Peking University’s campus. Economic advancement remains the most urgent, defining challenge of our era.

A popular narrative claims that the Global South is stepping onto the center stage of the global economy, which is partially truth. The combined GDP share of BRICS economies surged from 7% in 2000 to nearly 26% today, an unprecedented milestone in global economic history.

Yet, as rigorous scholars, we must look beyond surface-level statistics. Excluding China and India from the calculation, the outlook shifts dramatically. For the vast majority of developing nations, their proportion of global GDP has barely grown. This sobering figure reveals a harsh truth: countless countries are still being left behind in global development. In addition, the on-going AI innovation may further widen the gap between the advanced countries and the developing economies.

This is the reality you will confront. More importantly, it is the mission you have been trained to fulfill. Your responsibility is not merely to analyze this development gap, but to bridge it.

The Unique Value of ISSCAD: Theory, Practice, and the Global South Consensus

ISSCAD has equipped you with comprehensive tools to deliver on this mission.

Our curriculum moves far beyond textbook economics. We delve into the nuanced framework of National Development Studies, acknowledging that economic growth never exists in isolation—it is deeply shaped by history, politics, and unique local contexts.

You have endured intensive academic training in our classrooms, while traveling extensively across China to observe its development journey firsthand. You do not treat China’s experience as a rigid model to copy blindly, but as a living case study to examine its breakthroughs, obstacles, and lessons.

Beyond cultivating individual scholars, ISSCAD strives to build a unified developmental vision: the Global South Consensus. This framework rejects the one-size-fits-all model of the Washington Consensus. Instead, it advocates for pragmatic, localized governance. It demands that policymakers fully account for each nation’s distinct cultural traditions, political landscapes, and social structures, striking a balanced synergy between market efficiency and proactive state governance.

A Call to Action

As you step out of this campus, you bear great responsibilities alongside immense honor.

Upon returning to your home countries, you will stand as the first generation of policy professionals well-versed in this innovative developmental paradigm. You are not merely alumni of Peking University—you are cultural ambassadors, building bridges of mutual understanding between China and your homelands.

Your role extends further: you are the torchbearers of the Global South Consensus. You are the trailblazers who will translate the vision of efficient markets paired with proactive government into actionable policies. Your work will create jobs, narrow inequality, and advance sustainable growth across developing regions.

Graduates, turn to your classmates beside you. The bonds forged in our seminars and libraries will last a lifetime. When you return to  Lima, Nairobi Port，Moresby, Beijing, and cities worldwide, remember this powerful network. You are never alone. By collaborating, sharing successes and setbacks alike, you will build a more united, resilient Global South. Together, you can rewrite those cold statistics into a hopeful story of prosperity for billions living in developing countries.

Closing Remarks

March forward with courage. Apply the knowledge you have gained, and shape a brighter future for your nations. Always remember: ISSCAD and Peking University will forever be your home.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. We are immensely proud of you!