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Context:

70 Years After Bandung: A Vision for Global South Leadership.

About Bandung Conference

In April 1955, 29 Asian and African countries, including India, Indonesia, Egypt, and Ghana, met in Bandung, Indonesia. These were newly independent nations that had recently freed themselves from colonial rule (e.g., British, French, or Dutch empires).

Purpose: The leaders wanted to unite against colonialism, promote cooperation among developing nations, and assert their independence in a world dominated by Western powers and the Cold War rivalry between the USA and USSR.

Outcomes: The conference produced the Ten Principles of Bandung, which emphasized:

• Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Non-interference in internal affairs.
• Equality among nations.
• Peaceful coexistence.
• Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation.

Significance

The Bandung Conference inspired the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), formally established in 1961, and boosted South-South cooperation. It gave a voice to developing nations on the global stage.

These principles reflected the collective determination of the participating nations to uphold a rules-based global order founded on the United Nations Charter while asserting their independence from colonial powers and Cold War blocs.

South Africa's Connection to Bandung

South Africa was still under apartheid rule in 1955, however, the Bandung Conference provided a vital international platform for the anti-apartheid movement. The African National Congress (ANC) sent delegates to the conference, they used the Bandung Conference to:

• Raise global awareness about the oppressive apartheid regime
• Garner international support for South Africa's liberation struggle
• Build solidarity with other nations facing similar struggles against colonialism and racism

This diplomatic engagement helped strengthen the international anti-apartheid movement that would eventually contribute to the dismantling of the apartheid system decades later.

Contemporary Relevance

Current Challenges to Multilateralism

• Erosion of trust among major powers creating a highly polarized international environment
• Paralysis within international organizations, particularly the United Nations
• Failure of UN Security Council reform efforts despite decades of negotiations
• Resistance from permanent Security Council members to meaningful reform
• Fragmentation of the international community into opposing camps

Shifting Global Landscape and Rise of the Global South

• Economic Growth: The emergence of major economic powers within the Global South, including China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa
• Institutional Development: Creation of new South-South cooperation mechanisms like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and its subsequent expansion
• Multipolar World Order: Shift from a unipolar or bipolar world to an increasingly multipolar system with multiple centers of power
• Technological Advancement: Growing technological capabilities among Global South nations, reducing dependence on traditional powers.

These developments have enhanced the collective bargaining power of the Global South in international affairs, which reflect the realization of some of the aspirations expressed at Bandung in 1955.

Call to Action for the Global South

• Proactive leadership in forging new partnerships and alliances
• Cooperation among Global South nations and with like-minded countries from the Global North
• Taking the lead in shaping an evolving multipolar world
• Promoting a fair, just, inclusive, and equitable global community

Legacy of Bandung

• Solidarity: Promoting cooperation among nations with shared historical experiences and challenges
• Self-Determination: Defending the right of all peoples to choose their own political, economic, and social systems
• Multilateralism: Supporting international cooperation through inclusive global institutions
• Peaceful Coexistence: Advocating for diplomatic solutions rather than military confrontation

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 Source: 

INDIAN EXPRESS