The China-proposed Institute of Global Development (IGD) on Monday welcomed its first cohort of 25 doctoral students from 14 countries at an opening ceremony.

China proposed establishing the IGD in 2025 at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to promote common development among countries.

Established at Zhejiang University in east China's Zhejiang Province on March 15, the IGD is designed to put the Global Development Initiative into practice and promote the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the post-2030 planning.

The institute will carry out in-depth cooperation with international organizations to broaden students' perspectives and enhance their capabilities in global governance, according to its organizers.

Of the 25 new students, 21 are international and four are from China. They will pursue doctoral degrees in two major fields: applied economics and national and global governance.

Under the IGD's training program, the students will be encouraged to conduct field research and undertake in-depth studies of China's local economies.

Gan Pooi Shun, a Malaysian student, said she hoped to learn and exchange ideas with distinguished professors and, after completing her studies, bring China's experience in development and governance innovation back to her hometown to contribute to local development.

During the ceremony, Zhejiang University and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched an initiative to deepen cooperation in areas including academic research on global development, dialogue between policymakers and practitioners, and international talent development, with IGD serving as a major platform.