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Jaishankar Calls for United Global South Push on Multilateral Reform, Climate Justice and AI at UNGA80

Edited by IndianRepublic.in - Location: New York, NY, USA

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar just chaired a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South countries on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He urged developing nations to act collectively in shaping global governance frameworks, including reforming multilateral institutions.

Jaishankar Calls for United Global South Push on Multilateral Reform, Climate Justice and AI at UNGA80
Jaishankar just chaired a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South countries
Addressing the assembled ministers and representatives, Jaishankar laid out a pointed five-pronged agenda for strengthening the Global South’s role in world affairs. 

Emphasizing the urgency of coordinated action in an era marked by rising risks and complex challenges, he underlined that it is “natural” for the Global South to turn to multilateralism for solutions -- but on terms that reflect the priorities of the developing world.

His first proposal called for leveraging existing South-South cooperation platforms to deepen consultation, build solidarity, and encourage sustained collaboration across regions and sectors.

Secondly, Jaishankar stressed the importance of sharing tangible developmental successes within the Global South -- from India’s digital public infrastructure and vaccine development to agro-technologies, education models, and SME ecosystems -- to uplift peer nations without dependency on traditional Western frameworks.

A key focus of his remarks was climate policy, where Jaishankar made a clear distinction between justice and justification. 

“In areas like climate action and climate justice, we must come up with initiatives that serve the Global South, rather than justify the Global North,” he said, pushing back against narratives that disproportionately place the burden of transition on developing economies.

Looking ahead, he highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and encouraged the Global South to take proactive roles in shaping their ethical, equitable deployment.

Finally, the minister called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations and the global multilateral system, noting that institutions born in the mid-20th century no longer reflect 21st-century realities. 

“We must press for structural changes that give the Global South a rightful voice in decision-making bodies,” he said.

India’s positioning as a bridge between the developing world and the major powers has gained prominence in recent years, particularly through initiatives like the Voice of Global South Summit and the G20 Presidency. 

This meeting is part of a continuing effort to institutionalize Global South cooperation beyond non-aligned rhetoric and into actionable partnerships.

The meeting, attended by a cross-regional group of ministers, ambassadors and high-level officials, took place against the backdrop of major global divisions -- from widening economic inequality and the climate crisis to geopolitical instability. 

The discussion emphasized common concerns such as sustainable development, equitable financing, technology transfer and fair representation in global forums.

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