Global South leaders advocate for new multilateralism and governance initiatives

During the 50th Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers from G77 member states and China, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita addressed the current crisis in the multilateral system. Bourita argued that the system is facing growing distrust and ineffectiveness in addressing global challenges. He called for an “operational multilateralism” that moves beyond commitments to deliver tangible solutions and investments, emphasizing that Southern nations should act as producers of innovation and norms rather than just consumers of solutions.

To support this, Bourita highlighted Morocco’s South-South cooperation efforts, including the African Atlantic Pipeline project and the Atlantic Initiative to improve Sahelian access to the Atlantic Ocean.

In a separate context regarding global leadership, China has introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as part of a broader framework including the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The GGI aims to address deficits in peace, development, and security. The GDI, launched in 2021, focuses on bridging the gap between the Global South and North through six core commitments, including people-centered approaches and innovation-driven development. China reports having implemented over 2,000 projects through the GDI to date.