The Global South Is Rising—but Is It Truly Connected?

The idea of a “Global South” has returned to the forefront of strategic discourse, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With the growing influence of BRICS, G77, ASEAN, the African Union, and CELAC, a multipolar world appears to be taking shape. Yet the pressing question remains: will the Global South become a coherent force capable of shaping the international order, or will it remain a symbolic discourse lacking real cohesion?

Over the past two years, the Global South has become more visible than ever. Leaders from India, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia frequently reference it in speeches, while forums such as the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations have echoed similar calls for reform. At the 2023 BRICS Expanded Summit in Johannesburg, for instance, the bloc not only expanded its membership but also articulated ambitions to rival the Western-led order, introducing initiatives like a BRICS payment currency, the New Development Bank, and bilateral currency swaps.

Yet visibility does not equal influence. Despite a stronger presence, the South remains fragmented. The diversity within this bloc—between emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil, and smaller, more vulnerable nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—creates conflicting interests and priorities. India, while promoting itself as a Southern voice, simultaneously deepens ties with the West through platforms such as the Quad and G20. China, while advocating multipolarity, faces criticism over its debt-trap lending and assertiveness in the South China Sea. Within BRICS itself, China’s dominance raises concerns that the bloc is evolving into a “second West” under Beijing’s influence.

Beyond economic and strategic disparities, the Global South lacks a unified set of values. Differences in political models, governance standards, and cultural contexts—from free-market-oriented Chile and Kenya to more centralized, protectionist systems—complicate attempts to build consensus. Religious and ideological diversity further adds to the challenge, making coordinated foreign policy across the South fragile at best.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of increasing connectivity. South-South Cooperation Forums at the UN, NAM Summits, and India-hosted Global South Summits provide platforms for development dialogue, economic collaboration, and institutional reform advocacy. Initiatives such as the ASEAN Climate Change Centres Network, post-COVID recovery funds, and digital agreements demonstrate growing intra-regional cooperation.

Yet for these efforts to translate into strategic influence, Southern countries must overcome their internal limitations. They need to engage with the West confidently and proactively, embrace diversity in development models while adhering to international law, and build mechanisms for climate resilience and economic coordination. In this effort, middle-sized countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, and Chile can act as critical “bridge states,” linking Southern nations internally and connecting them to the Northern hemisphere, mediating differences, and fostering dialogue.

The Global South is undeniably rising, but presence alone is insufficient. To shape global governance, these countries must cultivate strategic trust, propose actionable solutions, and build genuine connections. Without these steps, the Global South risks remaining a metaphor—a symbol of aspiration rather than a tangible force capable of redefining the world order.