India on Thursday hosted its first summit of developing countries from Asia, Africa and South America, bringing together the perspectives and priorities of issues shared by what is collectively called the Global South.
In the virtual two-day summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that as India holds the presidency of the Group of 20 major economies this year, it is natural that the aim of the country remains to amplify the voice of the Global South.
Modi said it is clear that global growth in the 21st century will come from developing countries as advanced economies are slowing down.
"I think that if we work together, we can set the global agenda," he told the Voice of Global South summit. "As the eight-decade old model of global governance slowly changes, we should try to shape the emerging order."
Modi said the Global South collectively has the largest stake in the future as three quarters of humanity reside there and each of the countries should have an equal voice.
The Indian leader emphasized that the world is in a state of crisis and it is difficult to predict how long this state of instability will last.
"Most of the global challenges have not been created by the Global South. But they affect us more," he said, referring to the impacts made by COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, terrorism and even the war in Ukraine.
"I am confident that together the Global South can produce new and creative ideas," he said. "These ideas can form the basis of our voice in the G-20 and other forums."
Also attending the summit were the leaders of Bangladesh, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, Senegal and Guyana.
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