South Centre: Global Governance Initiative Reinforces the Voice of the Global South

Geneva (ANTARA) - China’s proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) demonstrates that countries in the Global South are capable of putting forward ideas for building a more orderly global governance system, and their voices need to be heard seriously, said Carlos Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the South Centre serves as an intergovernmental think tank for the Global South, committed to advancing shared interests among developing countries.

Having served as the Executive Director of the South Centre since July 2018, Correa has consistently highlighted the importance of a multilateral trading system in international forums. He also noted that China’s economic development has injected momentum into the global economic recovery.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Correa stated that the majority of the world’s population lives in countries of the Global South, which contribute a significant portion to global gross domestic product (GDP). However, in many cases, the influence of Global South countries has not been fully reflected in the outcomes of international negotiations.

Although developing countries have been calling for reforms for years, little progress has been made, and their interests have not been adequately protected, Correa said.

The GGI proposed by China is very important because it shows that countries in the Global South are capable of putting forward ideas for building a more orderly global governance system, he said, adding that supporting the initiative and working based on the principles it proposes is relevant for developing countries.

The current crisis in the international system is largely caused by the unilateral actions of some countries, Correa said, pointing out the recent violations by the United States of the principle of sovereign equality enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter.

Correa stated that the US has arbitrarily imposed tariffs based on its own interests and political considerations, which has seriously damaged trust in the multilateral system.

Various efforts are needed to address the current lack of trust in order to strengthen the international system and ensure that the principles on which it is based are upheld, implemented, and enforced, Correa said, calling on countries affected by these unilateral actions to respond in a “more organized” manner and act in solidarity with other countries to counter such measures.

Correa said that the South Centre supports the establishment of a multilateral system that reflects the interests of all countries, and such a system would not only benefit the Global South, but is also crucial for the world as a whole.

To make global governance more equitable, members of the international community must first respect all the rules, Correa said, adding that adjustments to certain rules are also needed to ensure that the voices of Global South countries are truly heard.