“India is an Important Voice of Global South”, Says Gates Foundation CEO

Praising India for its significant assistance to developing economies in the Southern hemisphere and acknowledging it as a prominent proponent for the Global South, Mark Suzman, the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has articulated the foundation’s perspective on India emerging as a “world leader.” CEO Suzman underscored that India’s inventive approaches hold the promise of accelerating global advancement, especially within areas encompassing the Global South.

“India is unquestionably one of the foremost proponents and champions of the Global South. This is why, in addition to our enduring partnerships cultivated over two decades of working in India to enhance health and development outcomes, we now perceive India as having the capability to assume a leadership role globally, by sharing its valuable lessons and best practices in health, digital financial inclusion, and agriculture. This is an avenue we are enthusiastic about and plan to fortify in the years ahead,” said Suzman in an interview with a media house.

Furthermore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while in New York, hosted a special event titled ‘India-UN for Global South,’ highlighting India’s efforts to strike a harmonious balance within the international system.

Notably, earlier this month, the African Union achieved permanent member status within the Group of 20 (G20), which comprises the world’s leading economies. The term “Global South” designates developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, while the economically advanced nations, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, constitute the Global North. The African continent is home to approximately 17 percent of the world’s population. South Africa had been the sole G20 member from the continent until September this year.

Suzman commended the G20 for achieving a “groundbreaking” consensus regarding the crucial role of digital public infrastructure in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the Global South.

“There is a significant opportunity at this moment to harness the Global South framework in specific domains. We are especially focused on areas such as health and financial inclusion, with an emphasis on the most impoverished and vulnerable populations. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the Government of India to facilitate the implementation of these initiatives in the years ahead,” added the CEO.

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