- Beijing Hosts Global South Think Tank Forum for Enhancing Development Cooperation in Global South
- Some forty-four think tanks from the Global South countries gather in China to discuss critical issues such as peace, development, and security.
- Global South Think Tank Forum aims to foster dialogue on building a more secure, jointly build a prosperous world with a shared future.
- Global South has become a driving force for a new type of globalization says Chinese Minister
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Beijing: Participants of the Global South Think Tank Forum, hosted by Beijing on October 16th ,2024, have reached a broad consensus for enhancing development cooperation for modernization in Global South countries
The theme of the Global South Think Tank Forum 2024 was Peace, Development, Security: Jointly Build a Prosperous World with a shared future.
The forum, attended by well-known analysts, scholars, journalists, was jointly organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the China Media Group.
The forum aimed to foster dialogue on building a more secure and prosperous future. It brought together leading voices from the Global South to discuss critical issues such as peace, development, and security.
Some forty-four think tanks from the Global South countries participating in the forum reached a broad consensus on enhancing development cooperation, promoting fairness and justice, and building a prosperous world with a shared future. An initiative has been released, stating that hands should be joined for common development in order to promote modernization in Global South countries.
“In the era of economic globalization, think tanks across the globe should embrace the trend of open development by strengthening forward-looking research and sharing intellectual achievements. This will help countries explore modernization paths suited to their national realities. We, think tanks throughout the Global South, advocate countries enhance economic and trade cooperation and promote innovation exchanges and encourage them to find mutually beneficial solutions. By expanding the breadth and depth of South-South cooperation, we aim to help countries jointly pursue development and prosperity, improve people’s well-being, and share the benefits of development.”
According to the initiative, think tanks firmly uphold mutual respect between nations, non-interference, independence and self-determination in international relations.
In his video message, Liu Jianchao, the Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, pointed out that the Global South has become a driving force for a new type of globalisation that is universally beneficial and inclusive.
He added that the Global South has offered a strong underpinning for an equal and orderly multipolar world which has become a staunch force for greater democracy in international relations.
Minister Liu said China will stand united with other Global South countries as always to shoulder the responsibility and play a role.
In his remarks, the President of the China Media Group, Shen Haixiong, noted that the Global South is on the rise and is becoming a major force for change in shaping the new order of global governance.
“Each country should be free to explore its own development path suited to its national realities. We advocate safeguarding the fundamental principles of international relations, promote South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue, uphold fairness and justice, and ensure all nations are treated equally regardless of size, strength and wealth. We promote openness and inclusivity, and aim to create a more just and reasonable international order while advancing towards a multipolar world.”
Finally, the participants of the forum state that they are committed to a global governance model based on consultation, joint efforts and shared benefits. “Upholding the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, we are committed to providing global public products, and will work to amplify the voice of the Global South. Together, we will strive to build a community with a shared future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for mankind.”
In his comments, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Dr. G. Weerasinghe and other guests expressed their hopes for strengthening global South Scholars Association collaborations by sending video greetings to this forum.
Similarly, Ms Alexándra Ajcip, member of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, representative of the Department of Guatemala for the Elephant Community Party appreciating the opportunity provided by the Global South Think Tanks Forum for the exchange of ideas between countries of the Global South, calling for the building of a more prosperous, equitable and just world through solidarity.
Poland’s former Deputy Prime Minister, Grzegorz W. Kolodko said the Global South initiative is a concept born from countries that seek mutual understanding and respect and wish to develop together with the developed countries on an equitable term and planning field.
The Vice-President of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy noted that the beauty of the Global South Grouping is its diversity adding that there are lots of opportunities in diversity.
She said for many of the Global South countries, colonialism is a shared experience in their history and also that they want to remain independent in their policies while seeking chances to move their countries forward.
Ms Malindog-Uy further added that the world is facing conflicts, global warming, threats of poverty, food and energy insecurities and uniting the developing countries could pave a safer and smoother to achieving common development.
The grouping of ‘Global South’ refers to countries located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere and make up 85 percent of the world population.
Most of these countries are from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia (excluding Japan, South Korea and Singapore) and the Ocenia (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
The countries of Global South are developing or emerging economies and have historical experiences of colonisation and imperialism.
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