India to host ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ next week

New Delhi, Jan 6 : India will host a special virtual summit ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ next week, it will bring together more than 120 countries of the global south to share their perspectives, priorities and concerns across a whole range of issues including conflict in Ukraine, food and energy security etc.
“I am happy to announce a new and unique initiative that India will be taking this year. We will be hosting a special virtual summit on Jan 12 and Jan 13. This summit will be called the voice of global south summit with the theme of unity of voice, unity of purpose,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said in a special briefing.More than 120 countries are being invited for this Voice of Global South Summit, the Foreign Secretary informed. “It essentially envisages bringing together countries of the global south and share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues,” he said. Kwatra said that the initiative is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ and is also underpinned by India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.
The summit will chiefly discuss the outcome of recent developments like the pandemic and conflict in Ukraine that have severely impacted the developing world across many domains.
“The impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Increasing difficulties in access and affordability of food, fertilizer and fuel and hence the derivate challenges of food and energy security, climate change. Increasing burden on developing countries in areas like mounting debt, inflationary pressures. That are also beginning to take their toll on the structural parameters of their economies,” the FS said announcing the details.
He said that often these concerns of the developing world don’t receive due attention and space on the global stage.“Often also, the relevant existing platforms have proven to be inadequate in addressing these challenges and concerns of the developing countries,” Kwatra added.He said that consultative and outcome oriented conversation focussed on the most pressing concerns of the developing countries is the need of the hour.
“The voice of the global south summit is India’s endeavour to provide a common platform to deliberate on these concerns, interests and priorities that affect the developing countries. Also, to exchange ideas and solutions. To unite in voice and purpose in addressing these elements of our concerns and priorities,” he added. Kwatra said that India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated from partner countries in the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ deliberations receive due cognizance globally. “India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20 provides the country a special and strong opportunity to channelise the inputs into the deliberation and discourse of the G20,” he added.