New York: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries and Friends on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), highlighting the need for closer cooperation among developing nations to address emerging global challenges.
During the meeting, Jaishankar assessed the current global landscape, marked by rising conflicts and geopolitical tensions, pressure on supply chains and international trade, fragmented investment flows, growing debt vulnerabilities and inadequate development finance. He also pointed to intensifying climate-related challenges and increasing strains on the multilateral system and international norms.
Jaishankar said Global South countries should work collectively to address several key priorities, including:
- Eliminating strategic chokepoints in supply chains, finance and connectivity.
- Protecting energy security by preventing the manipulation of energy availability and prices.
- Strengthening food security by addressing disruptions in the supply of grains and fertilisers.
- Promoting fair economic and trade practices while expanding industrial and production capabilities.
- Securing maritime commons, including the safety and security of seafarers and commercial shipping.
- Managing the transformation brought by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a way that prevents new global divisions.
- Ensuring greater representation of Global South countries in decision-making structures dealing with issues that directly affect them.
The External Affairs Minister stressed the importance of building closer economic, technological and environmental cooperation among Global South nations. He also called for greater use of existing international platforms to articulate their shared concerns.
Jaishankar emphasised that these efforts should ultimately contribute to the goal of “Reformed Multilateralism”, with a more representative and responsive international system.
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