BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Tuesday proposed a Global Development Initiative in steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth in face of the severe shocks of COVID-19.

"We must revitalize the economy and pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development," Xi said in his statement delivered via video at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

To promote global development, Xi called for staying committed to development as a priority.

He proposed that the world should put development high on the global macro policy agenda, strengthen policy coordination among major economies, and ensure policy continuity, consistency and sustainability.

"We need to foster global development partnerships that are more equal and balanced, forge greater synergy among multilateral development cooperation processes, and speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Xi said.

Xi stressed staying committed to a people-centered approach. "We should safeguard and improve people's livelihoods, and protect and promote human rights through development," he said.

Xi called for staying committed to benefits for all, and caring about the special needs of developing countries.