Fiji participated in the inaugural session of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Modi, with a key five-minute speech delivered this afternoon. The address was made by Viliame Gavoka, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and Acting Prime Minister, who joined the summit via webcast from the CAAF conference room in Namaka, Nadi.
During his speech, Gavoka reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to tackling the urgent issues confronting the Global South. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for their efforts in organizing this important meeting and for their leadership in amplifying the voices of the Global South on the global stage.
Gavoka emphasized that the Global South is no longer a bystander in international discussions, stating, “We are actively rewriting the story to better represent our shared goals of a just and equitable world order.” He highlighted the summit’s theme, “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future,” as being particularly relevant to their mutual aim of addressing current challenges.
The term “Global South” refers to countries that are often classified as developing, underdeveloped, or less developed. While most of these nations are situated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, not all are located in the Southern Hemisphere.
Gavoka acknowledged India’s pivotal role as a leader of the Global South in promoting the interests of these nations. He pointed out the significant challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), like Fiji, which generate less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions yet are heavily impacted by climate change.
He stressed the importance of international collaborations and platforms aimed at facilitating sustainable development and effective energy transitions within the Global South, citing initiatives like the multinational Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
The 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit built on discussions from previous gatherings and addressed pressing issues including conflict, food and energy security crises, and climate change. Over a hundred nations from the Global South participated in earlier summit editions, and in his closing remarks, Gavoka underscored the importance of enhancing group cohesion and collective strength to serve as a more vigorous catalyst for global economic development and governance.