India will host the third Voice of Global South Summit on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs announced.
This unique initiative began as an extension of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’, and is underpinned by India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It envisages bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues.
India had hosted the first Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13 January 2023, and the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 November 2023, both in virtual format. Both the previous editions of the summit saw the participation of over 100 countries from the Global South.
The inputs and feedback received from the leaders of the developing countries in these two summits were appropriately reflected in the agenda and discussions of the G-20 Summit under India’s Presidency last year, including in the G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
The third VOGSS, with the overarching theme of “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”, will act as a platform to expand discussions held in the previous Summits on a range of complex challenges that continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, climate change – all of which disproportionately affect developing countries in a severe manner.
At the Summit, the countries of the Global South would continue deliberations on challenges, priorities, and solutions for the Global South, particularly in the developmental domain.
Like the previous two summits, the 3rd VOGSS will be held in virtual format and structured into Leaders’ and Ministerial sessions. The inaugural session would be at Head of State/Government level and will be hosted by Prime Minister Modi.
The theme of the Inaugural Leaders’ Session is the same as the overarching theme of the Summit, i.e., “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”. In addition, there will be 10 ministerial sessions.