Context:
India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17th August 2024, in virtual format, with the overarching theme, “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”. 123 countries participated in the 3rd VOGSS. However, China and Pakistan were not invited.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- Voice of the Global South Summit
- Key Outcomes of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit 2024
- Understanding the Global South
Voice of the Global South Summit
- Launched by India, this initiative aims to unite nations from the Global South, providing a shared platform to discuss and align on various global issues.
- Rooted in the Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, this initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for collective progress and trust.
- Addressing urgent global issues such as the Covid pandemic, conflicts, financial instability, and environmental challenges, which disproportionately affect less developed nations.
- There’s a general oversight on the plights of these nations on global platforms, often overshadowed by wealthier states.
- Current international mechanisms are often inadequate in meeting the specific needs of these countries.
- The summit serves as a proactive medium for discussing and formulating solutions that consider the unique positions of these countries.
Key Outcomes of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit 2024
- Global Development Compact Proposal: Introduced by the Prime Minister of India, this proposal includes four strategic areas: trade enhancement, capacity building, technology exchange, and targeted financial aid.
- Financial Initiatives:
- Trade Promotion Fund: Allocated $2.5 million to stimulate trade-related activities.
- Capacity Building Fund: Set aside $1 million to enhance trade policies and negotiations.
- Health and Agriculture Initiatives: Efforts to distribute affordable generic medicines, enhance the training of drug regulators, and promote sustainable practices in agriculture such as natural farming.
- Global Governance and Institutional Reform: Emphasized the need for equitable global governance and reforming international institutions to prioritize and effectively address the issues of the Global South.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The summit highlighted a collective vision to fully achieve the SDGs and propel rapid development across the Global South, targeting substantial progress by 2030.
- Comprehensive Efforts: Focus on broad sectors including finance, health care, climate action, technological advancement, governance, energy solutions, trade dynamics, youth involvement, and digital transitions.
Understanding the Global South
- Emergence: Initially denoted countries excluded from industrialization.
- Ideological Divide: Shaped by Cold War conflicts between capitalist and communist nations.
- Encompassing Continents: Encompasses Asia, Africa, and South America.
- Economic Contrast: Opposite of ‘Global North’, marked by economic disparity.
Challenges Faced by the Global South
Geopolitical Shifts and Emerging Challenges
- Disruption Catalysts: Coronavirus pandemic and prolonged Ukraine-Russia War.
- Resulting Challenges: Food and energy supply security, technology transfer, energy transition, climate change impact.
Securing Supply Chain
- Supply Chain Concerns: Escalating energy costs and fertilizer prices.
- Necessity of Supply Chain Security: Reevaluating essential commodity distribution to ensure availability in the Global South.
Ensuring Adequate Energy Supply
- Energy Transition Hurdles: Sustainable energy transition entails technological and financial challenges.
- Disproportionate Impact: Global South nations most affected due to financial constraints.
- Sustainable Transition Imperative: Vital for socio-economic development across Global South nations.
Adapting to Climate Change
- Disproportionate Impact: Historical polluters from Global North, adverse climate change effects on Global South.
- Broader Climate Change Perspective: Need to consider climate change consequences holistically for Global South.
Advocating for Multilateralism
- Genuine Multilateralism Demand: Call for equitable representation in global governance institutions.
- UNSC Reform: Necessity to reform United Nations Security Council and other multilateral bodies for fair Global South representation.
India’s Role in the Global South
Historical Leadership and Global Influence
- Non-Aligned Movement: India’s historical leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement underscores its role in global politics.
- Economic and Geopolitical Clout: India’s growing economic and geopolitical influence drives its increased involvement in global geopolitics.
- G-20 Presidency: Assumes G-20 Presidency in 2022-23, reflecting its greater global role.
Leader of the Global South
- Voice of the Global South: As a leader of the Global South, India provides representation and a platform for the Global South Movement.
- Proactive Engagement: Active participation in international forums on climate change, energy transition, and normative issues.
Championing Global South’s Interests
- Alternative Narrative: India contributes to an alternative narrative in global geopolitics by voicing Global South concerns.
- Climate Summits: Protecting Global South interests in climate financing, emission norms, and historical polluter responsibility.
Global Energy Transition and Security
- Leading Energy Transition Discourses: Initiatives like International Solar Alliance and hydrogen-based fuel promotion.
- Energy Security Emphasis: Prime Minister Modi’s call for energy market stability at the G-20 Summit in 2022.
Democratizing International Relations and UN Reform
- Consistent Approach: India aligns with Global South demands for international relations democratization and United Nations reform.
- Leadership and Narrative Shift: India’s leadership reshapes global geopolitics and provides a new perspective.
-Source: The Hindu
