India Hosts 3rd Edition of Voice of Global South Summit

India is set to host the third edition of the Voice of Global South Summit today, a significant event rooted in India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family. This summit is an extension of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’ (Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth, Trust of All, and Endeavor of All), aimed at uniting the countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform.

The 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), with the overarching theme “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future,” seeks to build upon discussions from previous summits, addressing complex global challenges such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, and climate change, which disproportionately impact developing countries. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier this week, all countries from the Global South have been invited to participate in the summit.

This year’s VOGSS will be conducted virtually, with sessions structured into Leaders’ and Ministerial segments. The inaugural session, hosted by Prime Minister Modi, will focus on the same theme as the summit, emphasizing the need for a sustainable future for the Global South.

The summit will feature ten Ministerial Sessions covering a wide range of topics crucial to the Global South, including:

• Foreign Ministers’ Session: “Charting a Unique Paradigm for Global South”
• Health Ministers’ Session: “One World-One Health”
• Youth Ministers’ Session: “Youth Engagement for a Better Future”
• Commerce/Trade Ministers’ Session: “Trade for Development – Perspectives from Global South”
• Information & Technology Ministers’ Session: “DPIs for Development – A Global South Approach”
• Finance Ministers’ Session: “People-Centric Approach to Global Finance”
• 2nd Foreign Ministers’ Session: “Global South and Global Governance”
• Energy Ministers’ Session: “Sustainable Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future”
• Education Ministers’ Session: “Prioritizing Human Resource Development: A Global South Perspective”
• Environment Ministers’ Session: “Pathways for Progress – A Global South Perspective on Mitigating Climate Change”

The Voice of Global South Summit has previously been hosted twice by India—first in January 2023 and then in November 2023—both in virtual formats. Over 100 countries from the Global South participated in these summits, providing valuable inputs that were incorporated into the discussions and agenda of the G-20 Summit under India’s Presidency last year, including the G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

As the Global South continues to face significant developmental challenges, this summit provides a critical platform for countries to collaborate, share insights, and work towards sustainable solutions that benefit the entire region.