The Global South's participation is crucial to the building an inclusive, equitable, prosperous world, said officials from around the world in remarks to the Global South Think Tanks Forum, where attendees gathered online or offline to discuss the future of global development.
At a time when the world faces increasingly interconnected challenges, Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Europe-Asia center in Brussels and former Under-Secretary-General of the UN, said that the collective rise of the Global South countries is serving as a key force for global peace and development.
"There is that huge difference between the aggressiveness and the militarism of the West. The United States has basically been involved in every war in the world for the last decades. And the peacefulness of the Global South where the major powers are very peaceful," said Erik Solheim.
Speaking highly of the Global South Think Tanks Forum, Vladimir Norov, former secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan commented that it provides an invaluable opportunity for think tanks across the Global South to come together and forge a broad consensus on key issues, like enhancing development cooperation, promoting fairness and justice, and collaboratively building a prosperous future.
Djoomart Otorbaev, former prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, urged think tanks around the world, especially those from the Global South, to share ideas and proposals to make the world better.
"It's my privilege to send greetings to the Forum where think tanks around the world, especially from the Global South countries will share their ideas to brainstorm what to do next in order to bring our world to a most prosperous future," he said.
Chea Chanboribo, state secretary of the Ministry of Information of Cambodia, put forth a powerful statement on peace being the cornerstone of development and survival. He also stated that China is the "rice bowl" of the world, and that only with this rice bowl can people around the world develop.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Bolivia Esteban Elmer Catarina Mamani said that the countries of the Global South have alternative ways to support each other. It is not a unilateral or singular cultural reflection but rather a mindset of solidarity and complementarity, he said.
Phosy Keomanyvong, deputy minister of information, culture and tourism of Laos, said that many hands make light work and that the proposals put forth by China, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, have benefited many countries.
"We face many challenges, but as long as we cooperate and face them together, we will certainly have a better future," added Alongkorn Ponlaboot, former Thailand's deputy minister of commerce.
Geeganage Weerasinghe, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka also called on the progressive forces of the world to do their best to strengthen cooperation within the Global South, calling it a responsibility entrusted to their people by history.
"Global South Think Tanks are essentials for generating knowledge, experiences and innovative solutions to the challenges we face in education, women's empowerment, and equal opportunities," stated Ana Ingrid Bernat Cofino, a member of Central American Parliament.
"The forum has provided an opportunity for countries in the region to exchange ideas in such an important setting," added Alexandra Ajcip, a member of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.
Global South Think Tanks Forum eyes inclusive, equitable, prosperous world
Global South Think Tanks Forum eyes inclusive, equitable, prosperous world
