{"id":665,"date":"2025-05-05T12:41:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/the-global-south-platform-is-a-practical-and-very-powerful-tool-for-implementing\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T12:41:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:41:32","slug":"the-global-south-platform-is-a-practical-and-very-powerful-tool-for-implementing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/the-global-south-platform-is-a-practical-and-very-powerful-tool-for-implementing\/","title":{"rendered":"“The Global South Platform is a practical and very powerful tool for implementing the SDGs.” – Wook Jin Chang"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tDistinguished delegates, esteemed colleagues,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tIt is a great pleasure and honor to join you today. I am especially pleased to return to Azerbaijan\u2014a country that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering global solidarity and cooperation. I had the privilege of witnessing Azerbaijan\u2019s successful hosting of COP29 last year led by President Aliyev and the governments, NGOs and people of Azerbaijan. Baku brought together over 80,000 participants from around the world, including almost 10,000 civil society representatives, making it one of the largest NGO representations in COP history. Such an impressive turnout is a testament to the country\u2019s commitment to
\n\tinclusive dialogue and meaningful multilateral engagement.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tI was particularly impressed by Azerbaijan\u2019s leadership in creating the Global South NGO Platform, launched during COP29, which offered us a bold and practical step forward.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tLadies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tSome say the international forum is where the people comes to talk, and talk, and talk. But today, I believe we are here not just to talk\u2014but to listen, to learn, and most importantly, to act together.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tUN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has repeatedly underscored the value of South-South cooperation as a vital mechanism for addressing the world\u2019s most pressing challenges. In an era defined by interconnected crises\u2014climate change, inequality, food insecurity and conflicts\u2014our greatest strength lies in collective action, mutual support, and shared innovation. South-South cooperation is not a theoretical ideal\u2014it is a practical, powerful tool for implementing the SDGs.
\n\tBy exchanging knowledge, technology, and experience, developing countries can reinforce one another\u2019s efforts and build inclusive, resilient societies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tIn this regard, I highly praise Azerbaijan\u2019s leadership in initiating Global South NGO Platform and today\u2019s forum.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tNone of this can be achieved without robust engagement from civil society. NGOs, particularly those from the Global South, are essential actors in our shared mission to achieve the SDGs. Their close ties to communities, understanding of local realities, and ability to mobilize public support make you indispensable partners.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tYet we must recognize a persistent challenge: the underrepresentation of NGOs from the Global South in global policy-making platforms. Currently, the Global South comprises almost 70% of the total UN membership. However, less than 40% of NGOs with consultative status at ECOSOC are based in the Global South.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\tThis disparity underscores the need for greater inclusion of Global South perspectives in global policy-making platforms. This imbalance limits the influence of those most directly affected by the global issues we seek to address.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t <\/p>\n

\n\tLet me briefly walk you through a few key points that illustrate both the opportunities and the disparities in NGO engagement at the UN.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n\t\tThe Founding Fathers of the UN in 1945, have already called for NGO engagement in the United Nations. Article 71 enables ECOSOC to consult with NGOs. ECOSOC Resolution 1996\/31 lays out how.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. \n\t\tNGOs play critical roles:
    \n\t\traising awareness, offering expert analysis, helping monitor commitments, and serving as early warning agents.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. \n\t\tWith consultative status, NGOs can attend UN meetings, submit statements,
    \n\t\torganize side events, and connect with diplomats and UN staff.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. \n\t\tWhen the UN was founded, there were only 40 accredited NGOs.
    \n\t\tToday, that number has grown to over 6,500.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. \n\t\tBut over half are based in Western Europe and other developed regions. Out of 6,500 NGOs 19% are from Africa, 17% from Asia, 6% from Latin America and Caribbean and only 3% from Eastern European Countries.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. \n\t\tThe top 20 countries\u2014just 10% of UN Member States\u2014account for nearly two-thirds of all accredited NGOs. Most of them are from the Global North.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\tMany countries from the Global South have very few, and some have none at all.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\tThis is not fair. This is a lost opportunity\u2014for those countries and for the international community.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\tColleagues,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\tI must stress that we must correct this imbalance NOW. I encourage more NGOs from the Global South to apply for consultative status with ECOSOC.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\tWe need You, You need us and You need you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\tThe process is accessible, and the benefits are considerable\u2014not only for the organizations themselves, but for global governance as a whole. With over 1,000 NGO representatives from 137 countries endorsing the \u201cSupport for the Global South\u201d statement, this initiative embodies collective determination for a more inclusive, equitable, and action-driven multilateral system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\tLadies and Gentlemen,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\tTime is not on our side. We are just five years away from 2030,
    \n\tand the SDGs remain at risk. The good news is: we know what needs to be done\u2014
    \n\tand we know that we are stronger when we work together.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\tLet us ensure that the voices of the Global South are not only heard, but amplified\u2014and acted upon. Let us not wait for change\u2014Let us be the change, together with our courage, unity, and urgency.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\tThank you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n

    \n\t <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Distinguished delegates, esteemed colleagues, It is a great pleasure and honor to join you today. I am especially pleased to return to Azerbaijan\u2014a country that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering global solidarity and cooperation. I had the privilege of witnessing Azerbaijan\u2019s successful hosting of COP29 last year led by President Aliyev and the governments, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iepf-ngo.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}