2 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Global South

What is Global South?

A term used to refer to countries often described as developing, less developed, or emerging, primarily located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It emphasizes shared experiences of colonialism, economic inequality, and vulnerability to global challenges, rather than solely geographical location.

Historical Background

The term emerged as an alternative to 'Third World' after the Cold War, gaining prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It highlights common challenges and aspirations of these nations, particularly in global governance, development, and climate action, signifying a political and economic alignment.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Comprises countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

  • 2.

    Often characterized by lower per capita income, higher poverty rates, and historical legacies of colonialism.

  • 3.

    Plays an increasingly significant role in global economics, politics, and multilateral institutions.

  • 4.

    Advocates for a more equitable global order, greater representation in international bodies, and addressing historical injustices.

  • 5.

    Faces disproportionate impacts of climate change, economic crises, and global health emergencies.

  • 6.

    Emphasizes South-South cooperation, knowledge sharing, and collective bargaining power.

  • 7.

    Includes major emerging economies like India, China, Brazil, and South Africa.

  • 8.

    The term is dynamic and evolving, reflecting changing global power dynamics and increasing influence.

  • 9.

    Aims to shift from being aid recipients to crucial partners and innovators in global solutions.

Visual Insights

Geographic Representation of the Global South

Map highlighting countries typically considered part of the Global South, emphasizing their shared socio-economic and political characteristics.

  • 📍India — Emerging Economy
  • 📍Brazil — Emerging Economy
  • 📍South Africa — Emerging Economy

Recent Developments

5 developments

Increased prominence in discussions on climate action, global trade, and multilateral reforms.

Rise of forums like BRICS, G77 + China, and various regional blocs to amplify collective voice.

Growing calls for reforms in institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank to ensure greater representation.

Active role in advocating for climate justice, climate finance, and loss and damage mechanisms.

India's leadership in platforms like G20 (during its presidency) to champion the concerns of the Global South.

This Concept in News

5 topics

India's AI Summit: Democratizing Technology and Addressing Global Challenges

24 Feb 2026

The news about the India AI Impact Summit illuminates the Global South's growing role in shaping the global AI agenda. It demonstrates how countries in the Global South are actively seeking to leverage technology for development and address the challenges of inequality. The summit's focus on 'Welfare for All, Happiness for All' reflects a commitment to ensuring that AI benefits all segments of society, not just the privileged few. This event challenges the traditional dominance of the Global North in technology and highlights the potential of the Global South to drive innovation and promote a more equitable world order. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations and goals of countries like India in hosting such a summit. It also helps in assessing the potential impact of AI on development and inequality in the Global South.

Brazilian President Lula Praises India's Non-Colonial Approach on State Visit

23 Feb 2026

The news of President Lula's visit to India and his emphasis on a non-colonial relationship highlights the evolving dynamics within the Global South. It demonstrates a desire for partnerships based on mutual respect and shared development goals, rather than hierarchical relationships reminiscent of colonialism. This challenges the traditional power dynamics in international relations and suggests a shift towards greater agency and self-determination for countries in the Global South. The news also underscores the growing importance of South-South cooperation as a means of promoting economic growth and addressing shared challenges. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the historical context, the underlying motivations, and the potential implications of this partnership for the global order. It allows us to see beyond the surface-level interactions and appreciate the deeper significance of this evolving relationship.

PM Modi Highlights India's AI Vision at Impact Summit

20 Feb 2026

The news about India's AI vision underscores the importance of technology transfer and capacity building in the Global South. It demonstrates how countries like India can play a leading role in promoting inclusive development through technology. The news applies the concept of the Global South by highlighting the specific needs and challenges of developing countries in the context of AI. It reveals that AI, if developed and deployed responsibly, can be a powerful tool for addressing inequalities and promoting sustainable development in the Global South. The implications of this news are that the Global South needs to actively participate in shaping the future of AI to ensure that it aligns with its development priorities. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing developing countries in the age of AI. It helps to assess whether India's AI vision is truly inclusive and equitable, and whether it will effectively address the needs of the Global South.

Global AI Summit in India: Focus on Real-World Solutions

16 Feb 2026

The AI Impact Summit in India demonstrates the growing importance of the Global South in shaping the future of technology. (1) The news highlights the potential of AI to address challenges specific to the Global South, such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. (2) India's leadership in AI development and its focus on practical solutions can serve as a model for other developing countries. (3) The summit reveals the increasing recognition of the need for AI technologies to be inclusive and equitable, ensuring that they benefit all countries, not just the wealthy nations. (4) The implications of this news are that the Global South can play a more active role in shaping the global AI agenda and ensuring that AI technologies are used for sustainable development. (5) Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for understanding the specific needs and challenges that India is trying to address through its AI initiatives. It helps to appreciate the significance of India's role as a voice for developing countries in the global AI landscape.

Global South's Leadership Imperative in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

12 Feb 2026

This news highlights the increasing agency and influence of the Global South in shaping the future of technology. It demonstrates how the Global South is no longer simply a recipient of technology but is actively seeking to lead and innovate in areas like AI. This challenges the traditional North-South dynamic, where the Global North has historically dominated technological development and governance. The news reveals that the Global South's unique perspectives and experiences are crucial for ensuring that AI is developed and used in a responsible and equitable manner. The implications of this are significant, as it suggests that the future of AI will be shaped by a more diverse and inclusive set of actors. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for properly analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations, challenges, and opportunities facing countries in the Global South as they seek to take a leadership role in AI.

Source Topic

India's AI Summit: Democratizing Technology and Addressing Global Challenges

Science & Technology

UPSC Relevance

Crucial for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations, Groupings & Agreements), GS Paper 1 (Geography - human geography aspects), and GS Paper 3 (Economic Development, Environment). Understanding its role is key to analyzing global challenges, India's foreign policy, and international cooperation.

Geographic Representation of the Global South

Map highlighting countries typically considered part of the Global South, emphasizing their shared socio-economic and political characteristics.

Geographic Context

Map Type: world

Legend:
Emerging Economies

This Concept in News

5 news topics

5

India's AI Summit: Democratizing Technology and Addressing Global Challenges

24 February 2026

The news about the India AI Impact Summit illuminates the Global South's growing role in shaping the global AI agenda. It demonstrates how countries in the Global South are actively seeking to leverage technology for development and address the challenges of inequality. The summit's focus on 'Welfare for All, Happiness for All' reflects a commitment to ensuring that AI benefits all segments of society, not just the privileged few. This event challenges the traditional dominance of the Global North in technology and highlights the potential of the Global South to drive innovation and promote a more equitable world order. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations and goals of countries like India in hosting such a summit. It also helps in assessing the potential impact of AI on development and inequality in the Global South.

Brazilian President Lula Praises India's Non-Colonial Approach on State Visit

23 February 2026

The news of President Lula's visit to India and his emphasis on a non-colonial relationship highlights the evolving dynamics within the Global South. It demonstrates a desire for partnerships based on mutual respect and shared development goals, rather than hierarchical relationships reminiscent of colonialism. This challenges the traditional power dynamics in international relations and suggests a shift towards greater agency and self-determination for countries in the Global South. The news also underscores the growing importance of South-South cooperation as a means of promoting economic growth and addressing shared challenges. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the historical context, the underlying motivations, and the potential implications of this partnership for the global order. It allows us to see beyond the surface-level interactions and appreciate the deeper significance of this evolving relationship.

PM Modi Highlights India's AI Vision at Impact Summit

20 February 2026

The news about India's AI vision underscores the importance of technology transfer and capacity building in the Global South. It demonstrates how countries like India can play a leading role in promoting inclusive development through technology. The news applies the concept of the Global South by highlighting the specific needs and challenges of developing countries in the context of AI. It reveals that AI, if developed and deployed responsibly, can be a powerful tool for addressing inequalities and promoting sustainable development in the Global South. The implications of this news are that the Global South needs to actively participate in shaping the future of AI to ensure that it aligns with its development priorities. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing developing countries in the age of AI. It helps to assess whether India's AI vision is truly inclusive and equitable, and whether it will effectively address the needs of the Global South.

Global AI Summit in India: Focus on Real-World Solutions

16 February 2026

The AI Impact Summit in India demonstrates the growing importance of the Global South in shaping the future of technology. (1) The news highlights the potential of AI to address challenges specific to the Global South, such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. (2) India's leadership in AI development and its focus on practical solutions can serve as a model for other developing countries. (3) The summit reveals the increasing recognition of the need for AI technologies to be inclusive and equitable, ensuring that they benefit all countries, not just the wealthy nations. (4) The implications of this news are that the Global South can play a more active role in shaping the global AI agenda and ensuring that AI technologies are used for sustainable development. (5) Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for understanding the specific needs and challenges that India is trying to address through its AI initiatives. It helps to appreciate the significance of India's role as a voice for developing countries in the global AI landscape.

Global South's Leadership Imperative in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

12 February 2026

This news highlights the increasing agency and influence of the Global South in shaping the future of technology. It demonstrates how the Global South is no longer simply a recipient of technology but is actively seeking to lead and innovate in areas like AI. This challenges the traditional North-South dynamic, where the Global North has historically dominated technological development and governance. The news reveals that the Global South's unique perspectives and experiences are crucial for ensuring that AI is developed and used in a responsible and equitable manner. The implications of this are significant, as it suggests that the future of AI will be shaped by a more diverse and inclusive set of actors. Understanding the concept of the Global South is crucial for properly analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations, challenges, and opportunities facing countries in the Global South as they seek to take a leadership role in AI.