Participants sit in front of the G20 Summit logo on November 18, 2024 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: VCG

Editor's Note: 

Brazil held the G20 Leaders' Summit on November 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro. The G20 is considered a turning point for the Global South, but how will the growing voice of the Global South in such multilateral institutions affect global cooperation and order? Why experiences from China are most worth learning for Global South countries? Gert Grobler (Grobler), a former senior diplomat in the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, shared his views with Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Zixuan on these issues.

GT: How do you understand the role of G20?

Grobler: Under the Brazilian presidency, the G20 adopts the motto "Building a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet," focusing on three main issues, energy transition, fair and sustainable development, and reform of multilateral institutions. This echoes the call of the times, and it meets the aspirations of people globally. The G20 indeed plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. Moreover, the G20 is of growing importance to the Global South. It is a step forward. 

The G20 must actively enhance macro-policy coordination. The reform of the global financial architecture is vital. It should stick to its original goal of building an open world economy, promote trade, investment and liberalization. The G20 must reduce protectionism of all forms, and it should really uphold multilateralism. China is a good example of this. I hope the G20 will deepen global development and partnerships, and mobilize global resources to support global development as a whole. As there are so many conflicts in the world, there should be an establishment of peace and security. That's the common aspiration of all the people in the world. 

GT: How do you understand the G20 is the "turning point" for the Global South? How will the growing voice of the Global South affect the global cooperation and order?

Grobler: In a big way, the rotating chair held by Indonesia, India, Brazil and then South Africa represents a turning point for the Global South. And it has led and will continue to lead, also under South Africa, as an injection of new momentum into G20 activities. All emerging economies have a unique opportunity to place the Global South's priority themes at the heart on the agenda of the G20.

What we will see is a much stronger voice from the G20, visibly the West. For the Global South, we really want to see G20 drive benefits for the emerging economies more than it has been, at a time when geopolitical tensions among major powers are running high and much of the rest of the world is despondent of the state of multilateral institutions. The G20 Troika made up of these emerging economies managed to make the G20 a much more dynamic and practical platform, but also move global governance agenda beyond the current polarized political discourse. By doing so, it will put the Global South squarely at the center more than ever on the global governance debate and agenda.

GT: You once mentioned in an interview that China's development experience is worthy of reference and application by Global South countries based on their own national realities. What experiences from China are most worth of learning for Global South countries?

Grobler: I could write a book about that. Against the background of the strong growing cooperation within the Global South, the Global South has developed a deep respect and admiration for China's development experiences, China's development model. The world witnessed the profound changes and progress that China has made over the last 70 years, which also serves as lessons. These valuable lessons are people-first approach, innovation, modernization, reform and opening-up. These are all things that the CPC has implemented with great effect.  

The Global South admires the way China has developed its philosophy of people-centered development. We can see that Chinese people have resolved difficulties and challenges through reform and innovation. And the lessons from China could make a significant contribution to the emerging world's development. 

GT: You also mentioned that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, BRICS, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Global South cooperation have brought tangible benefits to the people of China and South Africa. China has participated in all these platforms. What do you think of China's role in global governance?

Grobler: The Global South and Africa have a great respect for China's unwavering commitment, global governance and multilateralism, and welcome China's emphasis on the importance of international institutions and frameworks advocating collaborative approaches to global challenges, like climate change, trade, security, rather than the unilateral actions taken by many countries. 

In fact, China responds to the common pursuit of people around the world. They want peace, they want development, they want cooperation. Under the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has proposed and promoted the implementation of highly constructive initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The BRI has created a more bonded community between China and Africa, so that we can jointly face international challenges.

China and African countries share a similar history, and they resonate with each other emotionally. More importantly, these are developing countries that can be easily affected by the uncertain and turbulent world. They value this growing bond with China. I'm very optimistic about the future relationship between China, African countries and others. These initiatives have taken firm roots and borne lots of fruits, bringing prosperity and stability to vast parts of the world and more substantive benefits for the people.

GT: The US and some Western countries have engaged in decoupling and built "small courtyards and high walls," politicizing economic cooperation, while the Global South has been calling for multilateral cooperation. How do you see such a sharp contrast?

Grobler: In today's world, the failure to cooperate is the biggest risk. Economic risks stem from decoupling or derisking that fragments industrial and supply chains in the world. The military risks come from military interference and expansion of military alliance and block formation. These are all things that China and other Global South countries don't want to see. As the world undergoes changes unseen this century, many Western countries are, unfortunately, embarking on unproductive bloc policies, protectionism. It is very worrying.

In this regard, I can just say again that Global South in Africa welcomes China's role as a leader on the international stage and acknowledges that China's GDI, GSI and GCI are aimed at improving global peace and security, and promoting social economic development and cooperation.

China, in principle, remains ready to enter into a dialogue with the US on the basis of mutual respect, good faith and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs. It would be most helpful, in my view, if the US were also to discard its cold war mentality, its interventionism and its bloc politics abroad.