STORY: Global South unites for sustainable development, urges shift in global balance of power
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 21, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 24, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:59
LOCATION: Kampala
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of group photo
2. various of the G77+China Summit
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YOWERI MUSEVENI, President of Uganda
4. various of delegates at the G77+China summit in Kampala
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
6. various of the G77+China Summit

STORYLINE:

Leaders of developing countries gathered in the Ugandan capital of Kampala over the past week, reaching a consensus to promote South-South cooperation to enhance their capability of pursuing sustainable development, seek strength from unity and increase the role of the Global South in international affairs.

High-level representatives of more than 100 countries and heads of United Nations agencies attended the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) that concluded on Saturday and the 3rd South Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) that wrapped up on Monday.

Participants said they are optimistic about the future of the Global South in world affairs, gearing up to influence the outcomes of the UN Summit of the Future scheduled for September in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the September summit as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate global action, recommit to fundamental principles, and further develop the frameworks of multilateralism so they are fit for the future.

In the outcome documents of the two summits, the countries of the Global South said they hope to play an influential role in shifting the balance of the geopolitical landscape from conflict, confrontation and mistrust to diplomacy, dialogue, peace and understanding.

NAM countries, in their declaration over the weekend, said they would positively contribute to the summit to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance.

Developing nations stressed that there is a need to reform the multilateral global governance architecture, including the United Nations and the international financial system. This reform would make the institutions fit for purpose, democratic, equitable, representative and responsive to the current global realities and the needs and aspirations of the Global South, according to the NAM Kampala Declaration.

They said the current violation of international laws and UN resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, coupled with the unfair treatment of developing countries facing debt distress amid a slow-growing global economy, are the key issues that have revitalized the call for a reformed global system.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the chairperson of the NAM Summit, said the forum should be used to exercise considerable influence, particularly at the UN, for an effective transformative process.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YOWERI MUSEVENI, President of Uganda
"We meet at a time when developing countries continue to face multiple global challenges that undermine our national and collective efforts to achieve sustainable development and our national development aspirations. We are now past halfway through the 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals), unfortunately, the overall progress in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals as agreed at the heads of state and government and high representative meetings held at the United Nations in September 2015 falls short of expectations with developing countries lagging far behind."

"In the negotiations for the Pact of the Future, the outcome document of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future, we should clearly define priorities that favor developing countries by maintaining unity, solidarity, and collective coordination among member states," Museveni said.

Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, said addressing the current global challenges requires creativity and consensus-building to fashion effective solutions.

Francis said the current crises, ranging from the Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine and those in Africa, raise questions about the relevance and value of the UN in terms of its ability to resolve global issues. He argued that the Summit of the Future will offer a historic opportunity to forge a new global consensus to transform the multilateral system to deliver better impact for people.

The Global South, according to the UN Secretary-General Guterres, bears the responsibility of changing the form of the global system, noting that those who currently benefit from it are unlikely to lead its reform.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"Sixty years ago, recognizing the need for unity and solidarity in the face of common challenges, the G77 was born. Over the decades, you have been an engine for South-South cooperation and development; lifted millions of people out of poverty; and provided a powerful voice for developing countries on the global stage. Today, you are the largest grouping of the Global South, representing 80 percent of the world's population. And your solidarity and partnership are essential to building a sustainable, peaceful, and just world for all."

He urged the international community to reform and revitalize multilateralism so that it works for everyone, everywhere, and meets the challenges of today. "We rely on the G77 plus China to make the Summit of the Future a success. To seize this opportunity and to find common solutions. The summit will consider deep reforms of the international financial architecture," the UN top envoy said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kampala.
(XHTV)