Bloc getting voice for first time due to joint efforts, says PM Modi at 2nd Voice of Global South Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Global South has geographically always existed but it is getting a voice for the first time due to joint efforts. Addressing the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit virtually on Friday, PM Modi said, “…Geographically, the Global South has always existed, but it is getting a voice for the first time and this is because of the joint efforts. We are more than 100 countries but our priorities are similar. Last year, during the G20 Summit, our attempt was to focus on the development, of the people, by the people and for the people…”

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit says "...Geographically, the Global South has always existed, but it is getting a voice for the first time and this is because of the joint efforts. We are more… pic.twitter.com/glpAIU16Y0

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2023

The Prime Minister said that India organised Voice of Global South for the first time in January and its focus was to give  prominence to the priorities of the bloc. “…In more than 200 G20 meetings held in different states of India, we gave prominence to the priorities of the Global South. As a result, the topics of the Global South were included in the New Delhi Leaders Declaration and we were successful in getting everyone’s consent. I cannot forget that historic moment when because of India’s efforts, the African Union got permanent membership of the G20…,” said PM Modi. Talking about the developments in West Asia, he said that new challenges are emerging from the region.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit says "...We all are seeing that new challenges are emerging from the events in the West Asia region. India has condemned the terrorist attack in Israel on October… pic.twitter.com/YZgklZFAo7

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2023

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“India has condemned the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7. We have exercised restraint as well. We have given emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy. We also strongly condemn the deaths of civilians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas,” said the PM. He said, after talking to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, India has also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. “This is the time when the countries of the Global South should unite for the greater global good…,” added the Prime Minister. He said that India believes that new technology should not widen the gap between the Global North and the Global South. “… During the times of Artificial Intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly. To further promote this, next month, India will organise the ArtificiaI Global Partnership Summit…,” he added. India had earlier hosted the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13 January earlier this year virtually. This unique initiative brought together 125 countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. Throughout its G20 Presidency, the MEA said India “worked to ensure that the concerns of the Global South receive due cognisance and that the priorities of the Global South were duly factored in finding solutions to the most pressing global challenges”. “The 2nd summit would focus on sharing with countries of the Global South the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings over the course of India’s Presidency. The challenges posed by global developments are also likely to be discussed. Further, the summit will serve as a platform to discuss ways to sustain the momentum generated towards our common aspiration of a more inclusive, representative and progressive world order,” added the MEA. According to MEA, the 2nd summit will be structured into 10 sessions, the inaugural and concluding sessions would be at Head of State / Government level, and hosted by PM Modi. The theme of the Inaugural Leaders’ Session is “Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ Session is “Global South: Together for One Future”. In addition, there will be eight Ministerial Sessions, with the following themes: Foreign Ministers’ Session on “India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future”, Education Ministers’ Session on “Making Human Resources Future Ready”, Finance Ministers’ Session on “Financing People-Centric Development”, Environment Ministers’ Session on “Sustainable Solutions for Climate Resilience and Climate Finance”. It will also include Foreign Ministers’ Session on “Global South and One Development”, Energy Ministers’ Session on “Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development”, Health Ministers’ Session on “Solutions from the Global South for One Health” and Commerce / Trade Ministers’ Session on “Global South & Resilient Supply Chains”. With inputs from agencies