The Global South has to join such efforts and participate effectively in these procedures to empower them as global stream ends the American monopoly. That would help moving to a more just economic dynamics based on the win-win principle. The exploitation of Global South wealth is no longer possible in tomorrow’s world, where partnership is on an equal footing between all countries moving together towards development and prosperity. In this context, it is important to expand the membership of the BRICS, the New Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Networking of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Mercosur is of great importance to maximizing economic benefits. Concluding free trade agreements between those frameworks and emerging economies of the Global South, especially African countries, is important for the economic integration of the global majority into the new world order.
Secondly, the cultural, social and media pillar. Cultural hegemony and the monopoly of information have no less repercussions than the dominance of world economy. Ending cultural superiority under the pretext of globalization is a cornerstone for building a new world order. Imposing western values on the entire world and obscuring people’s identity is destructive. Respecting diversity and cultural specificity of all nations is a basic foundation of the new world. No culture or civilization is better than others. The identity of peoples and their pride in their traditions is the source of creativity and progress.
Both traditional and new media rely on digital means of communication which play a pivotal role in preserving national identity, shaping the global public opinion and creating and incubating supportive societal environment for the changes taking place in the world order. This influence clearly emerged during the Gaza crisis, as new media, Facebook
, X , YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, and others, have enlightened the public opinion in some Western countries away from traditional trends towards supporting the Palestinian rights. This popular pressure was the main factor in changing some western official positions. Within such context, it is important to activate all media platforms, both traditional and new all over the world particularly in the Global South. That allows people to have a balanced and constructive understanding and to enhance the ongoing changes. It helps develop a social backing that supports developments and neutralizes the West’s efforts to continue its dominance over minds. In addition, building sustainable partnership between media and educational institutions as well as NGOs is also needed. People to people interactions create a human bond that stimulates the new world order.
Third, political and security pillar. As president Putin mentioned, security is indivisible. It is not possible for a country or even a group of countries to be secure while others are threatened. Although this is the essence of the “Security Dilemma” that the West has been talking about long ago and discussing extensively, at the actual policy level, it has not taken any steps to avoid such dilemma. Indeed, Western policies usually strengthen this dilemma due to the threat they represent to the security and interests of other countries. Their policies in Ukraine, Taiwan, Gaza, Venezuela and elsewhere are clear examples of that.
In this context, it is necessary to activate international and regional cooperation frameworks that express the collective will, and coordinate efforts among them. At the forefront is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which is considered a cornerstone for maintaining security and stability in Asia. Expanding SCO’s membership to include the largest possible number of Asian countries is needed. Building bridges among SCO, ASEAN, Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is also a constructive step. Networking all those organizations is a basis for building an integrated security system on the Asian continent. Itwould enable countering the American attempts to destabilize security and stability, undermine peace in the continent and all economic development efforts as well. It would also help avoiding wars and conflicts that drain resources and hinder progress. In parallel, it would be a step forward to network those Asian organizations with the African Union and work together to confront the global challenges that threaten them all.
Moreover, despite the Western obstruction of the United Nations’ role in many international and regional issues, which was evident lately during the Gaza crisis, the UN remains an important global forum that expresses the collective will, especially at the General Assembly level. Working to activate it and supporting the independence of its stance is crucial for the new world order.
President Putin’s speech and his six principles were inspiring to all countries that are looking forward to a new world based on dignity for all and mutual respect of interests, cultures, and security. Reaching such world and making it a living reality is a collective responsibility. The strong participation of the Global South is inevitable and a duty at a critical moment in human history.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
