Finance
In his opening remarks at the Voice of Global South summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday the “world is in a state of crisis” and told the leaders of developing countries “your voice is India’s voice” and “your priorities are India’s priorities”.
While addressing the first session of the two-day special virtual summit, the Voice of Global South summit, which began on Thursday, PM Modi said, “We, the Global South, have the largest stakes in the future. Most of the global challenges have not been created by the Global South. But they affect us more”.
“India has always shared its developmental experience with our brothers of the Global South. As India begins its G20 Presidency this year, it is natural that our aim is to amplify the Voice of the Global South,” he added.
PM Modi also shared his mantra for dealing with the global south’s challenges. “To re-energize the world, we must call for a global agenda of Respond, Recognize, Respect, and Reform,” he said.
PM Modi stated that countries must respond to the Global South’s priorities, recognize the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities, respect international law and territorial sovereignty, and reform international institutions such as the United Nations.
He also mentioned food, fuel, and fertilizer shortages, attributing them to war, conflict, political tension, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose,” the “Voice of Global South Summit” aims to bring together countries from the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. This Summit has been extended invitations to more than 120 countries.
The term “Global South” refers to the world’s developing and underdeveloped countries.
Officials stated that India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated by partner countries during the Voice of the Global South Summit discussions are recognized globally. They added that India’s current G20 Presidency provides a unique and powerful opportunity for countries that are not currently involved in the G20 process to share their ideas and expectations from the G20.
This is consistent with Prime Minister Modi’s statement that India’s G20 presidency will be shaped in consultation with not only partner countries, but also fellow travellers in the Global South, whose voices are often ignored, according to officials.
The Summit intends to hold ten sessions, four on January 12 and six on January 13. Leaders and ministers from 10 to 20 countries are expected to attend each session.
PM Modi is hosting the inaugural and concluding sessions at the Head of State/Government level. The theme of the Inaugural Leaders’ session is “Voice of Global South – for Human-Centric Development” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ session is “Unity of Voice-Unity of Purpose”.
In addition, there would be eight ministerial sessions, with the following themes:
- Finance Ministers’ Session on “Financing People-Centric Development”
- Environment Ministers’ Session on “Balancing Growth with Environment-Friendly Lifestyles (LiFE)”
- Foreign Ministers’ Session on “Priorities of the Global South – Ensuring a Conducive Environment”
- Energy Ministers’ Session on “Energy Security and Development- Roadmap to Prosperity”
- Health Ministers’ Session on “Cooperation to Build Resilient Healthcare Systems”
- Education Ministers’ Session on “Human Resource Development and Capacity Building”
- Commerce and Trade Ministers’ Session on “Developing Synergies in the Global South – Trade, Technology, Tourism and Resources”
- Foreign Ministers’ Session on “G-20: Suggestions for India’s Presidency”
Source:IE
