Pres Ali pushes “bold vision” for Global South to be architects of New World Order

– says must take up role in fight against climate change, drive renewable energy revolution

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has called for the strengthening of South-South cooperation to build a future where the Global South is not just on the periphery of world affairs but rather in the centre.
These were the sentiments of the Guyanese leader during his virtual presentation at this year’s Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) hosted by India on Saturday.
This third edition of VOGSS was held under the theme “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.” It served as a platform to expand discussions held in the previous Summits on a range of complex challenges that continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, and climate change – all of which disproportionately severely affect developing countries.

At the summit, the countries of the Global South continue deliberations on challenges, priorities, and solutions for the Global South, particularly in the developmental domain.
During his presentation, President Ali pointed out that countries must articulate a “bold vision” for the Global South for 2030 and beyond.
“Our vision must be on where our nations are; not merely passive participants in global affairs but key architects of a new world order. We must demand a world where the Global South is fully integrated into global supply chains, where our economies are diversified and resilient, and where our people enjoy the benefits of technological advancements and innovation.”
“We must envision a future where the Global South leads in the fight against climate change, harnessing our abundant natural resources to mitigate the effects of global warming, reduce emissions and drive a renewable energy revolution. This vision will remain elusive unless multilateralism reflects the realities of the 21st century, where the voices of the Global South are amplified, and our concerns are given the attention they deserve,” he stated.
According to the Head of State, the Voice of the South Summit must go beyond political declarations and focus on tangible outcomes, including creating a dedicated institutional framework for South-South cooperation.
To this end, he reiterated that the Voice of the South is institutionalised with India as its permanent home thus allowing for a permanent platform to strengthen collaboration, amplify collective influence, and work towards a peaceful global community.

Sustainable future
Highlighting the theme of this year’s summit, President Ali stated that the planning for that future must be intensified now and include a vision for the year 2030 and beyond. But even as focus is placed on 2030 and beyond, he noted there is a need to confront the pressing challenges that threaten not only the aspirations of the Global South but also the very foundation of a fair and equitable global order.
Despite being home to most of the world’s population, the Global South continues to grapple with a multitude of challenges including climate change, global economic disparities, and geo-political conflicts that have adverse effects on the lives of the people of the global south. These challenges, according to the Guyanese Leader, undermine countries’ ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and thus imperil their vision for beyond 2030.
Moreover, he went on to state that while small states make the least contribution to global emissions, they are facing the most devastating impacts of climate change from rising sea levels to extreme weather events.
“Small states remain on the frontlines of this crisis, with inadequate resources and insufficient support from the international community,” he highlighted.
President Ali further outlined that global economic inequality remains a stark reality today. Referencing an OXFAM report that states over two-thirds, about 69 per cent, of global wealth is concentrated in developed nations with less than one-third going to the developing world, he contended that the global wealth gap between the countries of the North and those of the Global South reflects deep-rooted disparities in economic development, access to resources, and technological advancement.
“While the North enjoys significant economic prosperity, driven by centuries of industrialisation, capital accumulation, and global trade dominance, the Global South continues to grapple with the legacies of colonialism, unequal trade relations, and limited access to finance and technology. This imbalance has resulted in a situation in which millions in the Global South struggle with poverty, lack of access to basic services, and economic instability. Addressing this wealth gap is critical not only for achieving global equity but also for fostering sustainable development and long-term global stability,” the Guyanese Leader stated.
According to the Head of State, this marginalisation of the South is mirrored also in international governance. He added that despite the South’s collective strength, its voice is often drowned out in global decision-making forums, and its interests are sidelined in favour of those of more powerful nations.
One glaring example of this that President Ali highlighted is the voice of the Global South being ignored in their calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. He argued that those who condemn terrorism must also condemn these acts of genocide.
“It is necessary that this crime against humanity, perpetrated against the Palestinian people, ceases immediately. The Global South must unite in unequivocal condemnation of these actions, standing together to demand justice, accountability, and an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he stated.
The president further posited that respect for the rule of international law must also become a centrepiece of the Global South’s advocacy. This, he added, is essential for safeguarding the rights and security of all nations, especially small states. The Head of State said too that the Global South must raise its voice in unison against any threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these vulnerable nations.
Guyana was among 123 countries from around the world that attended Saturday’s virtual summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. President Ali joined 20 other Heads of State who attended the summit including Suriname, Grenada, Chile, El Salvador, Uruguay and Vietnam.
The Guyanese Leader also participated in the first Voice of Global South Summit held in January 2023. (G-8)