PM Narendra Modi addressed a G7 outreach session, highlighting the prolonged impact of West Asian crises on the Global South. He proposed a global skills partnership and an "IMPACT" initiative for trade and connectivity, emphasizing shared prosperity and vulnerable countries' needs.
A report from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew highlights how AI and digitisation are accelerating the identification and conservation of plant and fungi species, offering a crucial tool in the fight against extinction. Despite significant progress, vast numbers of species remain unanalysed, with climate change impacting flowering times and disrupting ecosystems.
PM Narendra Modi will attend the G7 summit in France, representing the Global South and discussing West Asia conflict consequences, including energy crisis and freedom of navigation. He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders like Macron, Trump, and Carney.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a visit to France and Slovakia, focusing on economic and cultural ties with France and representing the Global South at the G7 Summit. A potential meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 is also under consideration.
A Brazilian journalist highlights China's development model, poverty reduction, and innovation, noting its creation of new opportunities for Global South countries like Brazil through initiatives like the Belt and Road. The article emphasizes the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation in a turbulent world.
Russian press reviews highlight escalating Middle East tensions, Moscow's response to intensified Ukrainian attacks, and potential US-Iran deal stages. Discussions also cover Nord Stream restoration, anti-Russian sanctions, and diplomatic conditions for dialogue.
Rosatom's Kirill Komarov predicts rising global electricity demand, particularly in the Global South, driven by intensive development. He noted a shift in nuclear power plant construction, with 70% now in the Global South compared to 30% in Western nations.
Russia's Investment Fund will sign seven agreements with Global South nations at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, covering technology, agriculture, and infrastructure. The fund also highlighted ongoing collaborations with Arab, Middle Eastern, and Asian partners, including over 60 joint projects with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian presidential special representative, stated that globalist policies have failed, with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) showcasing a shift towards partnerships between sovereign nations. He noted increased representation from Global South countries and Europe, highlighting Europe's energy crisis as a consequence of abandoning Russian supplies.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will sign seven agreements with Global South countries in IT, agriculture, and other sectors during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev stated that the fund continues active cooperation with Arab, Middle Eastern, and Asian partners, highlighting numerous joint projects with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China.
Vanuatu's public health director, Jenny Stephens, is lobbying for support as global funding cuts impact malaria, TB, and HIV programs. The US withdrawal from the WHO in early 2026 has led to China becoming the largest contributor, raising questions about Beijing's role in filling the funding and leadership gap.
China and Brazil held their fifth high-level strategic dialogue in Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urging joint efforts against external challenges and promoting the Global South's self-reliance. Both nations agreed to enhance cooperation across various sectors and multilateral platforms.
A Valdai Club report suggests global South nations are losing faith in Western security guarantees due to instability from interventions and internal conflicts. The report highlights challenges like terrorism, drug trafficking, and climate change, predicting a future of manageable fragmentation rather than a single global order.
Germany plans to establish a North-South Commission in Q2 2026 to diversify and intensify bilateral relations with countries of the Global South. The commission, a joint project of the Union and SPD parties, aims to build a global network and is seen as important for Germany amid geopolitical challenges. Details on its 20 members and specific mandate are still being finalized.
The UAE is accelerating its AI strategy with the delivery of advanced Nvidia chips, aiming to become an AI hub for the Global South. Despite regional conflicts, the nation is investing in US tech and developing its own AI models, adapting to threats against its data centers.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on BRICS partners to strengthen global solidarity and coordination in multilateral forums, citing cooperation at the COP28 climate conference as a positive example.
Brics, a grouping of emerging economies, seeks to reduce US dollar exposure and reshape global finance, driven by a shared unease with the current global order despite lacking a coherent strategy or ideology.
In global discourse, a script has been handed to us: the United States and China are locked in a “tech race”. But this is really a misnomer. True competition requires a level playing field. When one runner trips the other to ensure victory, it’s not a competition; it’s cheating. So, when Washington deploys an arsenal of sanctions, export controls and diplomatic strong-arming to hamstring China’s technological ascent, it is not competing. It is an act of suppression. This reflects a deliberate...
Brics’ inability to speak with one voice on the Middle East conflict has become a stern test of India’s leadership of the bloc, exposing the challenge of building consensus among its 10 members with divergent interests and concerns. The bloc could not agree on a common position on the war at a meeting of Brics officials to discuss Middle East and North Africa issues in New Delhi last week. Brics has long sought to present itself as a voice for the Global South as frustrations with the US-led...
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western nations are losing their global dominance, paving the way for a multipolar world order led by the Global South, during an address to the Open Dialogue international forum.
The eight-week-old war in Iran is causing far-reaching consequences across the Global South, with countries in Africa and Asia experiencing energy shortages, rising costs, and food insecurity. Egypt has imposed 9 p.m. curfews on businesses to conserve energy, while Kenya faces fuel and transport cost spikes. Thailand is urging work-from-home and stair use, and Somalia warns of worsening food crises as imports from Dubai are interrupted. The U.N. estimates 45 million people could face acute food insecurity if the conflict persists.
UNEP official Inger Andersen stated China has committed US$220 million (1.5 billion yuan) over 10 years for Global South development, describing it as putting "serious money on the table." The landmark biodiversity framework sets out 23 targets to be met by 2030 with the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, aiming for a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung began a six-day diplomatic trip to India and Vietnam on Sunday, seeking to bolster strategic partnerships and economic ties amid Middle East turmoil and US-China rivalry. Lee arrived in New Delhi and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, business leaders and Korean expatriates before concluding the visit on Tuesday. Seoul aims to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India, targeting bilateral trade of US$50 billion by 2030, up from US$27 billion last year. Partnership areas include shipbuilding, maritime industries, finance, AI and defence.
Meta has terminated its contract with Nairobi-based outsourcing company Sama, resulting in over 1,000 Kenyan workers being abruptly laid off. The workers, primarily involved in content moderation and AI training, were given just six days' notice. This follows last month's revelations that some workers were asked to view private content filmed using Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Activists have condemned the layoffs as exposing the precarious nature of tech jobs in the global south.
