“Navigating Together Towards a Brighter Future – the Compelling Case for an Empowered Global South”

Colleague Ministers, Excellencies, Friends

First of all, I thank you all for joining and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you today.

As Ambassador Harish pointed out, we are meeting at a time of considerable global uncertainty and we can see that in conflicts and geopolitical tensions, in disruption of supply chains, in increasing trade barriers fragmented investment flows, climate shocks, and the fact international norms and rules are under great pressure. Now the fact is also that institutions created for a different era continue to reflect the power structures of that era, and Global South today may be in the front row of global crises, but is in the back row of decision-making.

In the past year since we gathered here at the United Nations, we have seen an increase in number of active conflicts and these pose significant risk to global economy and particularly for Global South. At a time when we needed to turn towards multilateralism, we actually witness its dismantling. The international organizations that we hope would deliver solutions have instead become a problem for us to solve. For Global South, there has never been a moment as critical as right now for solidarity.

Allow me to highlight some key priorities that merit our joint consideration:

• First, we must not accept or legitimise choke points, be they in supply chains, finance or connectivity
• Second, energy security is at the heart of development. Availability and prices should not be manipulated for political ends.
• Third, food security is a common goal and we must swiftly address challenges in that regard, particularly supply of grains and fertilizers.
• Fourth, ensuring fair economic and trade practices which enhance our production capabilities and to not reduce us to be mere consumers. Our right to industrialize must not be denied.
• Five, the maritime commons must be secured, international law observed, and the safety and security of seafarers and commercial shipping guaranteed.
• Six, the transformation being brought about by Artificial Intelligence must not create new divides
• And seven, the Global South needs to be a part of decision-making structures that deliberate on issues that directly pertain our future.

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,

To make progress towards the priorities that I have just spelt out, let me suggest some points for your consideration:

• One, use our existing platforms to highlight the concerns of the Global South, with a view to ensure our concerns do not get deprioritized
• Two, closer economic cooperation among Global South is necessary to buffer us against the fallout of overlapping global crises
• Three, on Artificial Intelligence, we could share indigenously developed tools and frameworks for the benefit of Global South members, and ensure that AI remains human-centric
• Four, rather than relying solely on Global North, frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and others could bring about much needed progress on climate action
• Five, reform of the United Nations and multilateralism as a whole is essential to address the priorities of the Global South

So, with these thoughts, may I say that I look forward very much to the conversation today, and I really appreciate that you took the time out from this very frantic High Level Week to join us here.

Thank you again and warm welcome.

New York
September 22, 2026