The phrase "Global South" has become one of the most talked-about concepts in international relations, economics, and even the creative industries as 2025 draws to a close. Once relegated to academic debates or the margins of global summits, the term now features prominently in speeches, policy documents, and media coverage, reflecting the shifting balance of power in a world no longer dominated by a single set of voices or values.
According to BERNAMA, the year 2025 has witnessed the Global South's rise as a significant force, with developing nations across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific no longer content to be passive recipients of policies crafted by the Global North. Instead, these countries are asserting their own development models and diplomatic influence, pushing for a fairer, more representative system of global governance. This momentum is visible in the growing clout of platforms like BRICS, which has expanded its membership to include Indonesia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The bloc now represents nearly half of the world’s population and about a quarter of global GDP, a testament to its ambition to balance Western dominance with an agenda grounded in inclusivity, solidarity, and sustainable development.
The Johannesburg BRICS Expanded Summit in 2023 marked a pivotal moment. For the first time, the group not only grew in size but also made it clear that it aims to become an economic and political superpower capable of challenging—if not replacing—the Western-led order. Initiatives like the BRICS payment currency, the New Development Bank (NDB), and bilateral currency swap agreements are more than symbolic gestures. They are practical steps toward creating parallel financial structures, as noted by BERNAMA and other sources. Countries within BRICS and ASEAN are increasingly promoting the use of local currencies such as India’s rupee, China’s renminbi, and Malaysia’s ringgit for international trade, often through bilateral agreements and special accounts. This "de-dollarisation" drive, highlighted in recent reports, is seen as a way to manage risk amid renewed unpredictability in the United States and other Western economies.
But presence alone does not guarantee strategic strength. As reported by multiple sources, the Global South remains a fragmented entity. The diversity that makes it vibrant—spanning economic models, political systems, religions, and historical experiences—also makes it difficult for the group to act as a unified bloc. Profound disparities exist between emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil, and smaller, more vulnerable nations in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. These differences often translate into inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, interests and priorities.
China, for instance, is frequently cited as a model for integrating ecological considerations with economic planning. Its achievements in poverty eradication, green development, and technological innovation are seen by many in the Global South as proof that there are viable alternatives to Western development templates. Yet, as highlighted in coverage of recent summits, China’s "debt trap" investment policies and expansionist actions in the South China Sea have drawn criticism from some African and ASEAN nations. Even within BRICS, Beijing’s dominant influence has raised concerns that the bloc could become a "second West"—this time with Chinese characteristics.
India, meanwhile, tries to walk a tightrope. It positions itself as a leading voice for the Southern Hemisphere while simultaneously cultivating closer ties with the West through mechanisms like the Quad and the G20. Such dual strategies are not unique to India; many Global South countries pursue pragmatic, sometimes contradictory, alliances in search of economic opportunity and security.
Malaysia provides a compelling case study. As Prof Dr Azmi Hassan explained to BERNAMA, Malaysia’s engagement with the Global South, BRICS, and the G20 reflects longstanding concerns that decisions made by a handful of advanced economies often affect the developing world without adequate consultation. During its recent ASEAN chairmanship, Malaysia maintained a neutral, dialogue-driven approach, refusing to push the regional bloc to side with any major power. Instead, it encouraged ASEAN members to maintain open channels of communication—even amid the tariff disputes involving the United States. This stance, according to Prof James Chin of the University of Tasmania, helped strengthen ASEAN’s credibility and contributed to a record presence of world leaders at the latest summit.
Malaysia’s strategy is part of a broader trend. As Chin notes, "Malaysia is not putting all its eggs in one basket. Beyond BRICS, we are already part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and we maintain numerous free trade agreements and strategic partnerships." The inclusion of Brazil and South Africa as "Guests of the Chair" during the 20th East Asia Summit signaled ASEAN’s growing engagement with both BRICS and G20 nations. This approach is expected to shape ASEAN’s strategic outlook in the years ahead, as the region grapples with intensifying major-power rivalry, currency vulnerabilities, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining unity amid internal divisions—particularly over relations with China and the instability in Myanmar.
Beyond politics and economics, the Global South is also making its mark in culture and creative industries. The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, held in Moscow’s Zaryadye Concert Hall in December 2025, offered a vivid illustration of how fashion is emerging as a bridge connecting countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond. According to reports, delegations from 65 countries participated, representing almost one third of the world’s population. The summit featured 42 sessions with more than 250 speakers, including ministers, CEOs, researchers, and emerging designers. Two plenary sessions—"Fashion 360: Development of related industries" and "Protectionism or Free Trade"—highlighted the practical challenges and opportunities facing fashion economies in the Global South. The event’s emphasis on heritage craftsmanship, decentralised production, and economic collaboration mirrored broader trends in global politics and economics, reinforcing the idea that the future is multipolar and culturally diverse.
For many designers and creative entrepreneurs, events like the BRICS+ Summit offer a rare chance to engage with buyers and peers beyond the traditional European circuit. The summit’s inclusion of designers from smaller economies, such as Guatemala, reflects a growing ambition to democratise visibility for regions often overlooked by Western fashion councils. The four-day Fashion Intensive Course, led by experts from Brazil, Guatemala, India, Italy, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, Ethiopia, and South Africa, provided practical skill-building and cross-cultural learning opportunities for young creatives—a tangible investment in the next generation of global talent.
Despite these advances, challenges remain. The Global South’s lack of a shared set of values—whether in terms of democracy, transparency, or governance—continues to hamper efforts to build consensus and coordinate common policies. Many countries still pursue protectionist, centralised, or closed economic models, while others favor free markets and deep integration. Political and religious diversity further complicates the picture, making the prospect of a unified foreign policy elusive.
Still, the drive for connectivity is undeniable. Forums like the South-South Cooperation Forum, the NAM Summit, and the Global South Summit hosted by India are creating new spaces for sharing development experiences, promoting economic cooperation, and expressing common views on institutional reform. Initiatives such as the ASEAN Climate Change Centres Network, the post-COVID recovery fund, and the ASEAN Digital Agreement are expanding the scope of intra-regional cooperation.
Middle-sized countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, and Chile are emerging as crucial "mediator states," acting as bridges not only between Southern countries but also between the Southern and Northern hemispheres. With stable political systems, sustainable economic growth, and experience in multilateral mechanisms, they have the potential to interpret differences and foster dialogue in an increasingly fragmented world.
The Global South is rising, and its presence is being felt across politics, economics, and culture. But if it is to become a true force shaping the world order, it will need more than just visibility. It will require deeper connections, the ability to propose solutions, and above all, strategic trust among its diverse members. Otherwise, as one analysis noted, the Global South risks remaining a metaphor for aspiration rather than a driver of real power and change.