Perspectives on Multipolarity and Global South

Ladies and gentlemen, very good morning to you all.

It is my great honour to participate in this Global Conference on Multipolarity.

My name is Dr. Naing Swe Oo. I am the Founder and executive director of Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies as well as the Senior Advisor at Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies under Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.

Today, I’d like to share my views on Multipolarity and Global South.

Today the world as it is is fragmented, torn by crosscurrents, contradictions, and multivalent forcefields, not singular visions. Currently the world is facing many difficulties including pandemics and crises.

We are now witnessing a geopolitical transition of global hegemony from the West to the East, which is unprecedented in the history of the capitalist world-system. 

Multipolarity has come to figure prominently in the everyday vocabulary of diplomats and world leaders. For example, the first BRIC Summit in June 2009 expressed support for “a more democratic and just multipolar world order.”

No single country or group of countries dominates the world stage, and power is shared among several significant players.

Currently, the world can be considered multipolar as there are several major powers that wield significant influence and control over different aspects of global affairs.

China, Russia, The United States and the European Union are all major powers with significant economic, military, and diplomatic power. Other countries like Japan, India, Brazil, and South Africa also have significant regional influence and are emerging as major global players.

This multipolar world order has significant implications for international relations and global governance. It means that no single country can dictate the rules of the international system, and cooperation and collaboration among countries are necessary to address global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics.

The current multipolar world presents both opportunities and challenges for countries and the international community as a whole, and navigating this complex and evolving landscape will require careful diplomacy, cooperation, and dialogue among all actors involved.

The emergence of a multipolar world presents a range of opportunities for countries and the international community as a whole. Some of these opportunities include:

1. Greater diversity of perspectives and ideas:
2. Increased cooperation and collaboration:
3. Shared responsibility for global governance:
4. Economic opportunities and
5. Greater respect for diversity and different civilizations:

Overall, the multipolar world presents opportunities for greater cooperation, diversity, and inclusivity in global affairs. However, realizing these opportunities requires a commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and respect for diversity among all actors involved.

The emergence of a multipolar world has significant implications for the Global South, which includes countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In a multipolar world, the Global South has the potential to gain more influence and leverage in global affairs by aligning with one or more of the major powers or forming coalitions among themselves.

The ‘Global South’ has been on the rise. The Global South is generally understood to refer to less economically developed countries.

It is a broad term that comprises a variety of states with diverse levels of economic, cultural, and political influence in the international order. The global south is becoming more visible—and influential—in every arena.

The non-Western world—the long-ignored global south, or the “Rest,” as it’s often called—is making its voice heard. These parts of the planet, younger and faster-growing than the West but also more vulnerable to climate change, are becoming increasingly powerful and more assertive stakeholders in global politics. 

It is commonly said that the world is entering a multipolar phase in global governance with the “rise of the South” or the increasing powers of emerging economies China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa (the BRICS) and the strengthening of their relations.

The multipolar world also presents challenges for the Global South, as it may lead to increased competition and rivalry among the major powers for access to resources, markets, and influence in the region. This could exacerbate existing conflicts and power struggles, and potentially lead to the exploitation of the Global South by competing powers.

To navigate the complexities of the multipolar world, countries in the Global South will need to pursue strategic partnerships and alliances that balance their own interests with those of the major powers. This will require a careful assessment of the benefits and risks of engaging with different powers, as well as a commitment to promoting cooperation and collaboration among all actors in the international system.

The Global South faces a range of challenges that can impede its development and progress, despite the opportunities presented by the emergence of a multipolar world. Some of these challenges include:

1. Poverty and inequality:
2. Political instability and conflict:
3. Weak institutions and governance:
4. Climate change and environmental degradation:
5. Access to education and healthcare:
6. Digital divide: and
7. Debt and financial vulnerability:

Addressing these challenges requires sustained and coordinated efforts by governments, international organizations, and civil society actors. It also requires a recognition of the diverse needs and priorities of different countries and communities in the Global South, and a commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

Today, the world is going through momentous changes, and humanity is entering a new era of rapid development and profound transformation. It sees the development of such processes and phenomena as multipolarity, economic globalization, the advent of information society, cultural diversity, transformation of the global governance architecture and world order; there is increasing interrelation and interdependence between the States; a trend has emerged towards redistribution of power in the world; and the international community is showing a growing demand for the leadership aiming at peaceful and gradual development. , As mention in The ‘Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development.”

As a conclusion,

The future of the Global South in a multipolar world is complex and uncertain, but it is likely to be shaped by a range of economic, political, and social factors. Some of the potential implications for the Global South include:

1. Economic opportunities
2. Political alliances:
3. Greater bargaining power:
4. Technological innovation:
5. Challenges of globalization:

And the future of the Global South in a multipolar world will depend on a range of factors, including political alliances, economic trends, technological innovation, and global governance structures. To thrive in this new world order, countries in the Global South will need to adopt flexible and adaptive strategies that can respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by a rapidly changing global landscape.

I thank you very much.