Fair and Representative Global Order

India’s External Affairs Minister recently called for a fair and representative global order during the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival. The statement highlights the growing need for reforms in the global governance system to make it more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of current geopolitical and economic realities.

Why is the Global Order Not Fair and Representative?

1. Unequal Representation in Global Institutions:

   • Permanent Membership in UNSC: The P5 countries (China, France, Russia, UK, and US) hold permanent membership and veto power in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which allows them to disproportionately influence decisions, sidelining the interests of non-permanent members.

   • This imbalance has led to the concentration of power in the hands of a few, leaving much of the world without a voice in global security matters.

2. Marginalization of the Global South:

   • The Global North (industrialized countries) controls disproportionate voting power in key global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). For instance, the United States has 16.49% of the voting power on the IMF Board, even though it represents only 4.22% of the world population.

   • This creates a power asymmetry where countries in the Global South (developing and underdeveloped nations) have limited influence over global financial decisions that affect their economies.

3. Ineffective Multilateralism:

   • Powerful nations often bypass multilateral forums (e.g., the United Nations, Paris Climate Agreement, World Health Organization (WHO)) to pursue their own national interests. This weakens the ability of these platforms to facilitate true global cooperation.

   • Example: The United States' withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO is a clear demonstration of how major powers undermine multilateralism.

4. Trade as an Instrument of Geopolitical Power:

   • Trade imbalances and the use of tariffs as geopolitical tools have further accentuated inequalities. For example, the US imposed a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, and the European Union introduced a carbon tax, which disproportionately affects developing nations with fewer resources to manage such policies.

5. Climate Change Inequities:

   • Developed countries, especially the United States, are responsible for 20% of all historical emissions, yet the consequences of climate change disproportionately affect countries in the Global South. For example, the Philippines faced a devastating heatwave in 2024, causing droughts and heat-related deaths—a direct result of global climate inequities.

6. Technology and Knowledge Divide:

   • Around 100 companies, primarily based in the US and China, control 40% of the world’s private investment in research and development (R&D). This concentration of power limits the Global South’s ability to access cutting-edge technologies, creating a divide that stifles innovation in developing nations.

Way Forward for a Fair & Representative Global Order

To address these inequalities and create a more balanced global system, several steps can be taken:

1. Multilateral Reforms:

   • The G4 Ministers (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan) have been advocating for permanent UNSC seats, which would give developing nations a more direct role in global security governance.

   • Reforming international institutions like the UNSC, the IMF, and the World Bank is essential to ensure more equitable representation for emerging economies and the Global South.

2. Decolonizing Multilateralism:

   • Initiatives like the Voice of the Global South Summit, which India has championed, are essential in decolonizing global governance systems by ensuring that the voices of developing nations are heard and respected.

   • This approach focuses on creating a more inclusive global order, where all nations, regardless of size or economic strength, can have a say in global decision-making.

3. Implementing the Rio de Janeiro Declaration:

   • The Rio de Janeiro Declaration, adopted at the 17th BRICS Summit, calls for a restructuring of global institutions like the IMF, ensuring that they reflect current global realities and the sovereign interests of all nations.

   • It also advocates for inclusive AI governance, where countries in the Global South have a role in shaping the digital future.

4. Bridging the Digital & Technology Divide:

   • Promoting open-source, inclusive digital infrastructure is crucial to closing the technology gap. India’s model of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is already being showcased as a blueprint for the Global South.

   • By providing accessible digital platforms for education, healthcare, and governance, India is helping bridge the technology divide and fostering inclusive growth.

5. Climate Justice:

   • Strengthening frameworks like Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) will ensure that developed nations take responsibility for their historical emissions while supporting climate action in the Global South.

   • Climate justice should focus on fair distribution of responsibilities and resources to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on developing countries.

Conclusion

A fair global order requires the reformation of international institutions, equitable financing, and balanced cooperation between the Global North and Global South. As a growing power, India is positioning itself as a bridge between the two, advocating for reforms that ensure all nations, regardless of their economic or political stature, have a fair chance at contributing to and benefiting from the global system.

• The Global South must be given a seat at the table, ensuring inclusive governance and just outcomes in all sectors, from climate change to technology and trade.

• India’s efforts to decolonize multilateralism, promote inclusive digital governance, and fight for climate justice will play a critical role in shaping a more representative global order—one that is based on equity, cooperation, and mutual respect