MADRID, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum (ISIF) concluded here on Thursday, with attendees from various fields calling for collective action to address global issues.

Themed "Collective Action for One Future," the 2024 ISIF brought together over 40 former heads of state, government leaders, and officials from international organizations, along with more than 90 experts and business representatives.

Participants emphasized unity, partnerships, and collective action to advance a shared future for humanity and shape a brighter tomorrow through platforms such as the ISIF.

Diego Martinez Belio, Spain's secretary of state for foreign and global affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, noted in a speech that the forum has been a vital platform for fostering inclusive dialogue to address pressing global challenges since its first edition.

Established in 2014, the ISIF has hosted eight sessions in Guangzhou, China, and this year marked its first session held abroad. Former Slovenian President Danilo Turk emphasized its role in building trust and fostering mutual understanding. "Through open, inclusive, and honest people-to-people exchanges, we aim to strengthen international cooperation and address challenges that we all share," Turk said.

Han Seung-soo, former prime minister of the Republic of Korea, warned that multilateralism, which has driven global peace and economic growth to unparalleled heights since World War II, is under unprecedented strain.

Highlighting the profound challenges that ongoing uncertainty, ambiguity, and transformation have posed to governance at both national and global levels, Francisco Sagasti, former president of Peru, said: "We need to reach new governance arrangements at the regional and international levels, to cope with the tremendous challenges of a fundamental change of epoch in human history."

For Carlos Alvarado, former president of Costa Rica, the development of artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and challenges to global peace are all critical issues that require international cooperation.

As participants widely agreed that it requires full implementation of multilateralism to address the complex and ever-changing challenges of today's world, Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, stressed that the world needs more well-functioning multilateralism than ever.

Maria Fernanda Espinosa, president of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, echoed the view. She said all the ongoing challenges such as inequalities, poverty, the climate crisis, and security demand enhanced cooperation and collective action, and entail an efficient and purpose-driven multilateral system.

"We all have a common future, whether we want it or not, and it's better to act in a cooperative way," Former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers said. He stated that true multilateralism embodies institutionalized global cooperation, emphasizing that the world must go beyond dialogue and take collective action.

"Action is the most powerful language. To address crises and shape the future, we need vision and inclusiveness, but above all, responsibility and action," noted Chau Chak Wing, president of the AustraliaChina Friendship and Exchange Association.

To achieve the goal, former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic underlined the importance of global collaboration among political, cultural, and economic forces.

"Looking ahead, all parties should take concrete actions to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, jointly address global challenges, and uphold and practice true multilateralism," said Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The two-day event featured various activities such as a plenary discussion and parallel forums. It was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the World Leadership Alliance Club de Madrid.