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Starting this Monday, the United Nations will launch its high-level week of the 78th General Assembly (UNGA), running until September 26. Notably, this year’s UNGA has taken a unique direction. There’s a heightened focus on the nations of the “Global South”, a term that collectively encompasses the developing nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The General Assembly, in its various meetings throughout the week, is set to discuss the priorities specific to these developing nations. Key issues such as climate change, health, and financing will take center stage. What’s refreshing is that the countries from the South are not just silent participants. They are active contributors to the agenda, demonstrating an impressive unity, cooperation, and even a hint of ownership as if they’re hosting the discussions.
An international think tank director opined, “this is the year when the countries of the Global South have set the agenda.” The statement itself highlights a shift in global dynamics, reflecting the rising influence and unity of developing countries on international platforms.
Secretary-General António Guterres has significant expectations for this UNGA. His ambition to “help rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” is not just a lofty ideal. The word “rescue” sheds light on the numerous challenges global development faces today. It also points towards the widening divide between the developed and the developing world.
Guterres’ concerns emphasize a critical change in global politics – the collective emergence of developing nations. These nations are calling for a just and equitable international order. However, standing in contrast are the established powers, predominantly the West and the US. They seem entrenched in their positions, attempting to retain their dominance, often downplaying or even suppressing these emerging voices.
Take, for instance, the topics developing nations prioritize for the UNGA. These countries are eager to address tangible challenges like poverty alleviation, managing high inflation, and devising strategies against climate change. They envision fostering sustainable development through multilateral dialogues. The primary themes of the UNGA debate – peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all – encapsulate these aspirations.
However, there’s a looming concern among these nations: the overshadowing of developmental discussions by geopolitical issues, primarily the Ukraine crisis. These countries, striving for progress, are understandably wary of being dragged into drawn-out discussions about conflicts and wars. Their primary focus remains development, but there are apprehensions that external powers, mainly the US, might divert the narrative.
This diversion of narrative is not an isolated incident. There’s a recurring pattern where geopolitical maneuvers infiltrate multilateral discussions. Such practices have often thwarted international cooperative efforts, rendering many opportunities for mutual agreements and collaborations moot. It has led to diminishing the efficacy of what were once robust multilateral platforms.
In the recent G77 + China Summit held in Havana, Cuba, just days before the UNGA, the attending representatives unanimously approved the Havana Declaration. It emphasized the “right to development in an increasingly exclusive, unfair, and plundering international order.” This powerful statement is a collective voice of the developing world, presented right before the key meetings at the UNGA. However, the pressing question remains – will the developed nations, ensconced in the UN’s New York headquarters, heed these voices?
The Western powers, particularly the US, are making noticeable efforts to engage with the Global South. However, their intentions seem not entirely altruistic. It doesn’t appear to be about genuinely leveling the playing field or granting these developing nations the stature and opportunities they deserve. Instead, it seems more like an attempt to keep them tethered to the edges of the international geopolitical system.
But things are changing. Developing countries today are more enlightened and empowered. They are better positioned to uphold their sovereignty and make independent decisions. Their measured stance on complex situations, like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is evidence of their maturity. Even when faced with provocations to confront major powers like China and Russia, they maintain clarity and composure.
The UNGA stands as the world’s most representative multilateral forum. And within its esteemed chambers, it would behoove major powers like the US and the West to adopt a more receptive and humble demeanor. Recognizing and respecting the mainstream direction of the international community is not just an act of magnanimity but a necessity in today’s evolving global landscape.
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