Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressed the opening session of the ” Voice of Global South Summit”, via video conference, in New Delhi, on January 12, 2024.
The Global South has not created most of the global challenges, but they affect us more. We have seen this, in the impact of the covid pandemic, climate change, terrorism, and even the Ukraine conflict” -he added.
In his opening address at the Voice of Global South Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “world is in a state of crisis” and told the leaders of developing countries “your voice is India’s voice” and ”your priorities are India’s priorities”
Narendra Modi at Voice of Global South Summit
The Voice of Global South Summit is a new and unique initiative, created in a bid to articulate the views of developing countries. It is under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” and aims at bringing together countries of the Global South to share their vision and priorities on a common platform. More than 120 countries have been given the invitation to take part in the Summit.
10 to 20It is a two-day virtual summit from January 12 -13, 2024. It comprises ten sessions, of which four sessions and six sessions are to be held on 12 and 13 January, respectively. The Inaugural Leader’s session theme is ‘Voice of Global South – for Human Centric Development’ and the Concluding Leaders’ session theme is ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of purpose’. Each session is expected to receive the participation of leaders or ministers from 10 to 20 countries.
Besides the leaders’ sessions, there would be eight ministerial sessions for the ministers holding the portfolio of ministries of Finance, Environment, Energy, Health, Education, Foreign Commerce, and Trade of their respective countries.
Priorities of Global South
Global south refers to the developing and the less-developed countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin – America. . There are eight priority areas that are to be discussed at this summit. The ministerial-level sessions around the priority areas will be addressed under the following themes – Financing People-centric Development, “Balancing Growth with Environment-Friendly Lifestyles (LiFE), “Priorities of the Global South – Ensuring Conducive Environment”, “Energy Security and Development – Roadmap to Prosperity”, “Cooperation to Build Resilient Healthcare systems”, “Developing Synergies in the Global South – Trade, Technology, Tourism and Resources”, and “G-20: Suggestions for India’s Presidency”.
As the world was crippled by geopolitical tensions, inflation, and the pandemic, it affected the Global south more. While reflecting on the difficult year of 2022, PM Modi gave the mantra of 4 Rs – “Respond, Recognize, Respect and Reform”. This mantra calls for a global agenda to respond to the priorities of the Global South, recognize the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, respect international law and sovereignty, and reform international institutions, including the UN.
India – Voice of Global South
“India has always shared its developmental experience with our brother of the Global South. As India begins its G20 Presidency this year, it is natural that our aim is to amplify the Voice of the Global South”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi added.
The said statement exemplifies India’s consistency in championing the cause of the developing world. In the past, it has been at the forefront of Global south cooperation. It is a member of groupings like the Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) forum, and the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) forum. At multilateral platforms like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India has hit out at the inadequate representation of countries from Asia and Latin – America. The ongoing Indian Presidency of the G20 provides an opportunity for those countries that are not a participant in the G20 process to share their perspectives and expectations from the G20.
