Role of Global South in bolstering unity stressed

As mounting geopolitical tensions, institutional inertia and widening development gaps put growing strain on the global governance system in the year 2025, the Global South is being called on to strengthen solidarity and unity among developing countries. In this process, China can play an increasingly important role in promoting inclusive development, people-centered governance and a more equitable international order, experts said.

Back in 2024, the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit brought together 134 member states of the Group of 77 and China, representing about 80 percent of the world's population. Under the theme of leaving no one behind, participants recognized the unique needs and strengths of the Global South.

The summit also stressed the importance of strengthening South-South cooperation in areas that can drive sustained progress, including industrialization, trade, investment, climate action, poverty reduction and digitalization. They also called for reform of the international financial architecture to better reflect the priorities of developing countries and for fair and effective solutions to the debt crisis.

In May 2025, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation issued a report, saying the Global South is seeking viable solutions in an increasingly complex landscape amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, economic volatility, and environmental challenges.

While some developing regions have achieved economic growth, persistent debt vulnerabilities, trade disruptions and inflationary pressures continue to hamper progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite these headwinds, South-South cooperation remains a vital pathway for narrowing development gaps, enhancing economic resilience, accelerating innovation, and strengthening multilateral partnerships, according to the report.

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a professor of international law at Fluminense Federal University in Brazil, said that by advocating nonalignment and cooperation among diverse nations, the Global South is helping advance a more inclusive international order that better reflects the interests of a wider range of countries, and this transformation depends on dialogue and cooperation.

"The growing influence of the Global South is helping rebalance the long-standing dominance of Western powers in institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Many countries in the Global South are experiencing rapid economic growth, broadening global economic leadership beyond traditional Western economies," he said.

Initiatives such as BRICS and the establishment of alternative financial mechanisms, such as the New Development Bank, are reducing reliance on Western-dominated systems, supporting development tailored to regional needs and fostering a more multipolar world. This shift is also contributing to a global governance landscape shaped by more diverse voices and perspectives, Carvalho added.

Mammo Muchie, a professor at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, said that global governance stands at a new historic turning point, with the need for multilateral cooperation and shared development more pressing than ever.

"Since the end of the Cold War, deepening globalization and the collective rise of emerging market economies have gradually reshaped the international balance of power. As a result, developing countries have gained greater influence in global affairs, and the Global South has emerged as an increasingly prominent force on the international stage," he said.

Muchie said the international system remains deeply shaped by institutions established in the aftermath of World War II. At the same time, new mechanisms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and ASEAN are gaining prominence, with the Global South playing an increasingly important role in global governance.