Upon the commission of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, participated today in the virtual concluding session of the second Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS). The summit, themed "Global South: Together for one future," brought together heads of states and governments.
Bahrain's involvement in the concluding session was based on an invitation extended to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. Prime Minister Modi, in his invitation, praised Bahrain’s effective participation in the first VOGSS, hosted by India earlier this year, focusing on the priorities of developing countries during its G20 presidency.
Addressing the session, Deputy Premier Sheikh Khalid conveyed greetings and appreciation from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the participants. He also extended wishes for the summit's success and further progress and prosperity to India.
Sheikh Khalid expressed gratitude to India for hosting the second Voice of Global South Summit, highlighting the participation of 13 heads of state or government, or their representatives, in the concluding session chaired by Prime Minister Modi. This participation underscores India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among South countries to address pressing challenges.
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed Bahrain’s support for the summit’s objectives in advocating for a more comprehensive, equitable, and just international system that considers the needs of developing and least developed countries.
He highlighted the achievements of the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, addressing key priorities for the Global South countries. These include enhancing the representative nature of the G20, advancing Sustainable Development Goals, reforming multilateral institutions, and addressing issues such as terrorism, extremism, and other vital matters.
Sheikh Khalid emphasized the significance of the second VOGSS in building effective partnerships among South countries through science, technology, and innovation for development. The goals include enhancing participation in international trade, regional integration, and addressing challenges like climate change, environmental degradation, global epidemics, and building capabilities for future challenges.
The Deputy Premier reiterated Bahrain’s belief in the importance of international cooperation within the South-South cooperation framework. Bahrain has initiated joint cooperation and capacity-building projects in various fields across numerous countries to share its experiences and promote knowledge exchange.
He highlighted Bahrain’s commitment to international solidarity, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomatic solutions to conflicts in line with international law. Bahrain supports international partnerships to address global challenges like poverty, water and food security, and climate change, promoting a comprehensive approach based on cooperation and partnership.
Sheikh Khalid stressed the Kingdom’s call for ending global conflicts, especially in the Middle East. He cited Bahrain's appeal to the international community for an urgent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, protection of civilians, and the establishment of safe corridors for humanitarian aid. He also reiterated the call for a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.
The Deputy Prime Minister extended best wishes for the success of the second Voice of Global South Summit in achieving forecasted goals. He emphasized the importance of formulating and implementing a global development system that aligns with the theme "Together for one future" and meets the aspirations of people for development and prosperity.
The second Voice of Global South Summit serves as a vital platform for leaders to discuss ways to enhance and build on G20 achievements and deepen South-South partnerships.