Beijing, May 29 -- In 2021, China declared a landmark achievement: the eradication of absolute poverty, following a decades-long effort that lifted around 800 million people out of destitution.

By most estimates, this accounts for more than three-quarters of global poverty reduction over the past few decades.

Yet extreme poverty remains a major global challenge. Governments across the developing world are striving to raise living standards and lift populations above the poverty line, but progress remains uneven.

Geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism in developed countries are making matters worse. Trade disputes, sanctions and fragmented supply chains are constraining export-driven developing economies.

At the same time, tigh...