External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday hosted a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries in New York. The meetng, which took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), focused on enhancing collaboration, solidarity, and multilateral engagement among developing nations.
The meeting discussed pressing global issues, including climate justice, digital technology, and the urgent need for multilateral reforms. The initiative comes amid growing consensus among developing nations on the importance of shaping global discourse to reflect their priorities.
In a post on X, Jaishankar emphasised the role of multilateralism in addressing challenges faced by developing nations. “Delighted to host the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries in New York today on the sidelines of UNGA80. In the face of the proliferation of concerns and the multiplicity of risks, it is natural that the Global South turn to multilateralism for solutions,” he said.
Highlighting India’s proposals to strengthen South-South cooperation, Jaishankar said, “Utilise existing forums to strengthen consultations among the Global South with a view to enhancing solidarity and encouraging collaboration. Bring to the table specific strengths, experiences, and achievements we may have developed that can benefit fellow nations in the Global South. Vaccines, digital capabilities, education capacities, agro-practices and SME culture are good examples.”
The External Affairs Minister also called for initiatives that prioritise the Global South over the Global North in addressing climate change. “In areas like climate action and climate justice, come up with initiatives that serve the Global South rather than justify the global North. Discuss the promise of technologies on the horizon, especially AI, and reform the UN and multilateralism as a whole,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar highlighted that the Global South is confronting a complex set of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, extreme climate events, volatility in trade, and uncertainties in investment flows and interest rates. “Most of all, the rights and expectations of developing countries in the international system, which have been so assiduously developed over many decades, are today under challenge,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister warned that international organisations are often starved of resources and rendered ineffective. “The very concept of multilateralism is under attack. International organizations are being rendered ineffective or starved of resources. The building blocks of the contemporary order are starting to come apart, and the cost of delaying much-needed reforms is starkly visible,” Jaishankar added.
He called for a united approach among Global South countries, based on fair and transparent economic practices, resilient supply chains, and stronger South-South trade, investment, and technology collaboration. “A stable environment for balanced and sustainable inter-economic interactions, including more south trade, investment and technology collaborations. Resilient, reliable, and shorter supply chains will reduce dependence on any single supplier or market,” he said.
Jaishankar also stressed the importance of resolving conflicts impacting food, fertiliser, and energy security, and leveraging technology for development, including the creation of digital public infrastructure and a level playing field across sectors.
Highlighting India’s proposals to strengthen South-South cooperation, Jaishankar urged nations to utilise existing forums to enhance consultations, share experiences and achievements, and collaborate on areas such as vaccine production, digital capabilities, education, agriculture, and SME culture. He further called for initiatives in climate action and climate justice that prioritise the Global South over the Global North, as well as leveraging emerging technologies such as AI.
“In the face of multiple risks, it is natural that the Global South turn to multilateralism for solutions,” Jaishankar said. “Reform of the United Nations and multilateralism as a whole is critical to ensure that developing nations’ voices are heard and their rights protected.”
Jaishankar also held bilateral discussions with several foreign ministers, including Singapore’s Vivian Balakrishnan, St. Lucia’s Alva Baptiste, Mauritius’ Ritish Ramful, and David van Weel of the Netherlands.
-ANI