Why Global South is embracing the Global Governance Initiative
At a time when countries are grappling with economic uncertainty, climate pressures and widening development…
At a time when countries are grappling with economic uncertainty, climate pressures and widening development needs, the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative resonates because it addresses concerns long voiced across the Global South.
By Maya Majueran
The concept of a “rules-based order” has long been presented as a foundation for global stability, prosperity and cooperation. Yet many developing countries have questioned whether its principles have been equally applied. While international law, free trade and multilateralism are frequently promoted as universal principles, countries across the Global South argue that implementation has too often been selective.
Beneath the rhetoric of rules and principles, many developing countries have witnessed a different reality — one in which power frequently shapes outcomes as much as law does. Concerns about selective enforcement and inconsistent standards have fueled frustration, particularly when similar crises receive markedly different responses depending on political alignment, economic weight or strategic importance.
