The economic clout of developing countries is rising amid tectonic shifts in global affairs. This trend has led to discussions on the sustainable development of the Global South and calls for greater participation by developing countries in global governance. Following the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September, which set new ground for China-Africa cooperation, the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) – another major event – held from 5 to 10 November, continued to carry forward cooperation among Global South countries with a greater emphasis on openness.
As an important part of this year’s CIIE, the seventh Hongqiao International Economic Forum featured a sub-forum themed “Sustainable Development of the Global South and China-Africa Cooperation” on 5 November, where participants shared insights on inclusive growth within developing countries. During the event, UN officials, government representatives, and scholars from China and several African countries discussed on the topics of “Evolution of Economic Development Models for the Global South to Achieve Sustainable Development” and “Experiences and Emerging Trends in China-Africa Cooperation for Promoting Sustainable Development in Africa.”
Speakers praised the achievements of South-South cooperation and offered new perspectives on the challenges and obstacles to such cooperation in the current global landscape, contributing ideas for advancing sustainable development goals.
Concrete achievements
Speakers recognised China’s positive role as an advocate and supporter of South-South cooperation, especially its commitment to equality and mutual benefit in China-Africa partnerships. Cooperation between China and African countries spans wide-ranging areas such as industrialisation, health care, green development, and digital innovation, greatly enhancing Africa’s socioeconomic development, transforming its outlook, and setting an example for South-South cooperation.
Pedro Manuel Moreno, deputy secretary general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), pointed out that South-South trade and integration have grown rapidly, with South-South trade in goods accounting for a quarter of global total, surpassing South-North trade. “As of 2023, developing countries accounted for 42 percent of global GDP, 44 percent of merchandise exports, and 65 percent of FDI inflows. This is a remarkable shift from 60 years ago when developing countries held only 17 percent of global GDP, 22 percent of merchandise exports, and attracted very little FDI inflows,” Moreno said.
Dima Al-Khatib, director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, said it is encouraging to see that the number of countries involved in South-South cooperation is growing, and China is one of the leading forces. Cooperation platforms and mechanisms, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative, have all achieved successful results in infrastructure construction, digitalisation, trade, and e-commerce, she noted.
Arkebe Oqubay, former senior minister and special adviser to the prime minister of Ethiopia and distinguished professor at Fudan University of China, said, “After more than 20 years of efforts, the scope of cooperation between China and Africa has gradually expanded. Developments in areas such as industrial park construction, railway connectivity, and renewable energy have contributed to Africa’s increasing economic resilience.” Oqubay also praised China’s leadership in the global green transition and its efforts to support Africa’s sustainable development, especially through technical assistance and capacity building.
The view was echoed by Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Sebahizi Prudence. “Over the past 20 years, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has made significant strides. In 2023, trade volumes between China and nearly half of African countries saw double-digit growth. Since the launch of the BRI, African nations, including Rwanda, responded enthusiastically and have experienced rapid advancements in trade and infrastructure,” he said.
The rise in Chinese imports of agricultural products has been a particularly welcome trend. Zhang Wei, vice president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation at China’s Ministry of Commerce, highlighted Chinese efforts to create suitable conditions for the export of Africa’s flowers, avocados, and coffee and support their sales in China. “China has been a strong advocate and supporter of South-South cooperation, promoting mutual development within Global South countries through diverse forms of collaboration. With the ongoing development of China-Africa relations, cooperation across various sectors is expected to continue deepening, further driving economic and social development in Africa,” said Zhang.
Navigating challenges
Speakers also engaged in in-depth exchanges on the primary challenges restricting the growth of the Global South. By identifying these obstacles and reaching a consensus, they aimed to provide insights that will help to address development issues and advance sustainable growth for these countries.
Anastasia Nesvetailova, director of macroeconomic and development policy at UNCTAD, pointed out, “Changes in technology, geo-economics, and geopolitics are reshaping the globalisation process, with developing countries experiencing the greatest impact. That is leading to a deepening asymmetry between the Global South and the North,” calling for strengthened cooperation within the Global South and the implementation of common policies to collectively respond to future challenges.
Chipoka Mulenga, minister of commerce, trade, and industry of Zambia, identified technology as a significant bottleneck in Africa’s development, noting that partnerships with countries like China are essential to overcome the technology barrier.
Wang Lincong, vice president of the China-Africa Institute, talked about poverty reduction and food security as pressing challenges facing African countries, while also stressing the importance of cooperation in green energy and the digital economy for Africa’s development.
Looking ahead
Despite various challenges, the forum expressed optimism about future cooperation and development prospects for the Global South. The continued enhancement of platforms like FOCAC and the BRI, alongside the deepening friendship between China and African nations, provides strong support for development. Several attendees also shared valuable insights on further strengthening partnerships to foster growth.
China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei said China has long been actively contributing to the sustainable development of the Global South with concrete efforts. “China is committed to strengthening friendship with members of the Global South, deepening practical cooperation, sharing its experience of modernisation, and contributing to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” he said.
“The current economic landscape calls for new development strategies. These strategies could, for example, tap into the potential of the services economy and the expansion of South-South trade. The growing demand for critical minerals essential to the energy transition can also present a real opportunity for resource-rich developing countries. This will also require international action, such as technology transfer or more policy space,” Moreno said.
Nesvetailova emphasised the potential of youth, which is a great demographic advantage of the continent. Therefore, it is of key importance to provide proper education and abundant opportunities for African youth to grow into active participants in the global economy and a driving force for the modernisation of the continent.
Peter Kagwanja, president of the Africa Policy Institute, praised China’s efforts to open up its market to Africa. “The action plan, adopted at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, which outlines 10 partnership initiatives to guide the next phase of China-Africa cooperation, could have a far-reaching impact on the people of Africa,” he said.
African Times has published this article in partnership with ChinAfrica Magazine.
