Ashraf AboArafe
India hosted the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit on 17 August 2024 in a virtual format. This unique initiative is an extension of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to bring together countries of the Global South to share their views and priorities on a common platform on a whole range of issues.
2. India hosted the first Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13 January 2023 and the second Voice of the Global South Summit on 17 November 2023, both held virtually. The previous two editions of the summit witnessed participation of over 100 countries from the Global South. The inputs and feedback received from leaders of developing countries at these summits were aptly reflected in the agenda and discussions of the G20 Summit held under the Indian Presidency last year, including the G20 Leaders’ Declaration issued in New Delhi.
3. The theme of the third Global South Voices Summit was “Empowering the Global South for a Sustainable Future”, and the third session provided a platform to expand discussions 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 severely impact developing countries differently. 4. The third Global South Voices Summit held ten ministerial sessions, in addition to the opening session held at the Head of State/Government level, hosted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Egypt also attended ministerial sessions, namely the Trade/Ministers of Trade session on “Trade for Development – Perspectives from the Global South” and the Foreign Ministers’ session on “Global South and Global Governance”. During the second Foreign Ministers’ session on “Global South and Global Governance”, Egypt was represented by Mr. Abu Bakr Hefny Mahmoud, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Ministers discussed a range of issues including the urgent need to review multilateralism, improve access to finance and technology for countries in the South, and develop collective initiatives to address common challenges and enhance cooperation among countries in the Global South. Mr. Wael Abdel Rahim, Minister Plenipotentiary, Head of Asia Department at the Egyptian Commercial Service, attended a session on “Trade for Development – Perspectives from the Global South”. The discussion covered supply chain integration, food security, support for SMEs and challenges facing the international trading system.
5. While chairing the opening session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for unity among partners of the Global South to meet the aspirations of two-thirds of humanity. Prime Minister Modi stressed the need for fair and inclusive global governance and expressed hope that these discussions would be reflected in the “UN Summit for the Future”.
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