During the conclusion of the second Voice of Global South summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the Global South is asserting its desire for “autonomy” and is prepared to shoulder significant responsibilities in world affairs. Modi reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to the development of developing countries during the virtual summit hosted by the nation.
In a significant announcement, Prime Minister Modi declared the initiation of an annual international conference in India starting next year, dedicated to addressing the development priorities of the Global South. He outlined the primary objective of this conference as identifying practical solutions to the development challenges faced by countries in the Global South.
The summit witnessed the participation of leaders from approximately 130 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Modi highlighted the crucial message emanating from the summit, expressing the Global South’s readiness to assume significant responsibilities in global affairs while asserting its demand for autonomy.
Modi stated, “Having two summits of the Global South within a year, and a large number of you participating in them is in itself a big message for the world.” He added that the Global South is vocal about wanting its autonomy and a stronger voice in global governance, indicating a willingness to take on greater responsibilities in global affairs.
In recent years, India has positioned itself as a leading advocate for the concerns, challenges, and aspirations of the Global South. As the G20 president, India has actively addressed issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access, aiming to benefit developing countries.
Expressing pride in India’s role, Modi stated, “India is proud that we got the opportunity to put the voice of the Global South on the agenda in an important forum like G-20. The credit for this goes to your strong support and your strong belief in India.”
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the resonance of the voice raised at the G-20 Summit will continue to reverberate in other global forums in the future. Additionally, he highlighted the launch of the Global South Center of Excellence named “Dakshin,” focusing on research related to developmental issues in developing countries and offering practical solutions.
The summit marks India’s second effort to bring together countries from the Global South, following the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit held in January.
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