EXPERTS from various countries have called for greater cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to combat multiple challenges including climate change, pandemic and food insecurity.

Speaking at an international webinar titled “Big power competition in the post-pandemic world order and the Belt and Road Initiative” on Monday, the experts rejected any notion of confrontation or a new Cold War mentality.

Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of the Pakistani senate’s defense committee, said that China sought an economic-driven vision through BRI, which has been joined by 149 countries, including Pakistan, and 32 international organizations.

Suos Yara, chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodia’s Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Media and Information, said that BRI is a platform for collaboration since it offers so many prospects, such as infrastructure upgrades and breathing room for partner countries’ economies amid challenges.

(Xinhua)