India’s convening of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit virtually on August 17, 2024, reflects its ascendance at the global stage and reaffirms its dedication to extend collaboration among the Global South nations. The summit is a testament to India’s conviction in the collective potential of the Global South to adress shared challenges and explore opportunities. By positioning itself as a champion of the interests of developing countries, India aims to expand its diplomatic influence and build stronger partnerships with the partners of the Global South.
India convened the inaugural edition of Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on January 12-13, 2023, followed by the second edition on November 17, 2023, both held in a virtual format. The past two editions saw the participation of over 100 countries from the Global South.
The Voice of Global South Summit is all set to convene 10 Ministerial sessions that address the Global South’s position in the existing international order and its aspirations for a more equitable system. Sessions like “Charting a Unique Paradigm for Global South” and “Global South and Global Governance” suggest a focus on developing a new framework for international cooperation that reflects the interests and priorities of developing nations.
The summit also places significant emphasis on social issues, with sessions dedicated to health, youth engagement, finance, and sustainable energy. The “One World-One Health” theme acknowledges the interconnectedness of global health challenges, while the “Youth Engagement for a Better Future” session highlights the importance of empowering young people as agents of change. The “People-Centric Approach to Global Finance” session suggests a focus on reforming financial institutions to better serve the needs of developing countries. Finally, the “Sustainable Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future” session underscores the urgency of addressing climate change while ensuring energy security.
Overall, the ministerial session themes at the summit reflect a comprehensive agenda that seeks to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the Global South. The focus on global governance, social development, and sustainability suggests a commitment to building a more just and equitable future for the developing nations.
The ministerial sessions host a clear understanding of the interconnectedness of the challenges faced by Global South nations. For instance, the Health Ministers’ session on “One World-One Health” will directly influence the Foreign Ministers’ sessions by highlighting the transnational nature of health crises and the need for global cooperation. Similarly, the Youth Ministers’ session can inform the Education Ministers’ session by providing insights into the aspirations and priorities of the next generation. The Commerce/Trade, Information & Technology, and Finance Ministers’ sessions are intrinsically linked, as they will collectively address the economic issues of the Global South. These interdependencies among the Global South nations underscore the importance of a holistic approach to address global challenges.
The success of the Voice of Global South Summit will hinge on the ability to translate the outcomes of these ministerial sessions into coherent and implementable policies. For instance, the goals outlined in the Environment Ministers’ session will require substantial financial resources, which can be addressed in the Finance Ministers’ session. Likewise, the Information & Technology Ministers’ session will have implications for digital infrastructure, education, finance
and healthcare sectors. Ensuring policy coherence across different ministries will be crucial for effective implementation and achieving the desired outcomes of the Global South nations.