On the afternoon of April 26, the sub-forum of 2025 Shanghai Forum titled “Global Governance and Technological Innovation in the Context of the Rise of the Global South” was convened. Organized by the Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University, it brought together leading global scholars from Global South nations and beyond to exchange insights on governance and innovation against the backdrop of the Global South’s growing influence.
In his opening remarks, WANG Dawei, Economic Affairs Officer of Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), illuminated the Global South’s expanding economic clout with compelling data: by 2023, these nations accounted for 40% of global output, 44% of merchandise trade, and 65% of capital flows. Trade volume among Global South countries skyrocketed from US$500 billion at the WTO’s inceptionin1995toUS$5.7 trillion in 2023, achieving an annual growth rate of 9.5%, far outpacing the global average of 5.6%, which embodies their significant roles in international trade.
Landmark Report Unveiled
HU Jiping, Dean of the School of International Relations, announced the release of the research report “From Kazan to Rio: China’s Approach to Promoting a BRICS Committed to Peace, Innovation, Green Development, Justice, and Closer People-to-People Exchanges”, a collaborative effort by. Center for BRICS Studies of Fudan Development Institute, Institute for National Security and Development, University of International Relations and Institute for International Strategic and Security Studies, Shanghai Institute for International Studies.
Director of the Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University, SHEN Yi, contextualized the report’s dual motivations: First, the systemic redistribution of power driven by global technological revolutions, marked by accelerated multipolarity and the collective rise of emerging economies. Second, widespread cognitive dissonance between entrenched perceptions and evolving realities, exemplified by preventive measures from established powers.
Three scholars—LIU Zhongwei, JIANG Tianjiao, and LI Hongmei—provided detailed analysis of the report’s findings. Grounded in the five major goals put forward by President Xi Jinping’s for the future of BRICS, including building “a BRICS committed to peace”, “a BRICS committed to innovation”, “a BRICS committed to green development”, “a BRICS committed to justice” and “a BRICS committed to closer people-to-people exchanges”, the report examines revolutionary shifts in the international landscape while proposing frameworks for institutional restructuring. Itemphasizes Global North-South collaboration as a linchpin for progress.
BRICS Cooperation and New Opportunities for the Development of the Global South
Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at Russia's Higher School of Economics, asserted that the unipolar era has definitively ended, though cautioned that the current multipolarity exhibits characteristics of “disorderly fragmentation” accompanied by governance deficits. He emphasized Russia’s “World Majority” concept, which aligns the country with Belarus, Turkey, and post-colonial states within an expanded Global South framework. The BRICS mechanism, he argued, holds appeal for nations through its equitable decision-making processes, dynamic balance between competition and cooperation, low institutional barriers to entry, and non-confrontational approach to Western hegemony—factors that bode well for the bloc’s expansion.
However, Suslov warned of challenges including delayed policy implementation and consensus-building among expanded membership. He advocated gradual institutional reforms, enhanced flexible cooperation, and greater BRICS leadership in climate governance, AI ethics, and military coordination.
SUN Degang, Director of Center for Middle Eastern Studies of Fudan University, observed that while regional blocs like the African Union and SCO remain fragmented, BRICS could consolidate smaller Global South nations into a cohesive international force—a “Greater BRICS” paradigm. Yet expansion risks higher cooperation costs, divergent growth resilience, and conflicting visions, as seen in Iran’s “Global East” versus Arab states’ “Global Rest” narratives. Sun urged pragmatic cooperation focusing on finance, energy, agriculture, and technology, stressing that BRICS represents bread over ballots—a development-focused coalition rather than an anti-Western alliance.
Maged Botros Salib, a tenured professor at Egypt’s Helwan University, noted that the 2024 expansion of BRICS+ countries now surpasses the G7 in scale. He underscored its link to decentralized decision-making, the rise of bilateral payment agreements in alternative international currencies, and a marked decline in reliance on traditional reserve currencies—highlighting the dollar’s share of global reserves, which fell by 35% between 2015 and 2023. Salib called for a restructured global governance architecture to sustain momentum, promoting locally tailored development models through BRICS initiatives and the Belt and Road framework.
Ethiopia’s Degefa Tolossa Degaga from Addis Ababa University elaborated onInformation and Communications Technology(ICT)’s dual role in reshaping digital governance and bridging development gaps. While Ethiopia prioritizes digital transformation, challenges persist in infrastructure and adoption rates. Degaga projected long-term growth through enhanced connectivity, cybersecurity frameworks, and strategic ICT investments.
First-Person Perspective and Key Concerns of the “Global South” Countries
Narayanappa Janardhan, Director of Research and Analysis of Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, explained the “flattening world” concept, where technology and competition enable Global South nations to bypass traditional power rivalries. Market-driven strategies—such as technology transfers, niche exports, and scalable low-cost solutions—offer pathways for progress. Examples include the UAE’s COVID-19 vaccine production through Chinese tech transfers and Global South nations’ addressing energy deficits affecting 50% of nations amidst AI’s ascendancy.
Seyed Mohammad Marandi from Iran’s University of Tehran called for dismantling Western discursive dominance through institutional reforms, education, and tools like China’s DeepSeek AI, which challenges linguistic imperialism.
Next, Visiting Scholar at Fudan University’s Center for BRICS Studies, Ingrid Torquato Oliveira showcased Sino-Brazilian tech diplomacy successes, from the CBERS satellite program to São Paulo’s thriving innovation ecosystem housing 3,000 startups. Despite digital sovereignty challenges—exemplified by Brazil’s 2023 Twitter ban—she highlighted advancements in public digital services and research commercialization through Brazil’s National Research Network (RNP).
YU Haijie, Assistant Research Fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, advocated “Green BRICS” cooperation, citing the New Development Bank’s US$30 billion commitment (2022-2026) to climate projects. He urged innovative financing tools and local currency mechanisms to accelerate green transitions.
Mikatekiso Kubayi, Senior Researcher at Institute for Global Dialogue associated with UNISA, underscored Africa’s growing geopolitical relevance, attributing it to structural shifts fostering self-reliance. BRICS’ cultural pluralism, she noted, allows nations to preserve identities while pursuing inclusive development.
As the sub-forum concluded, participants reached consensus on BRICS’ potential to advance decolonization, foster multipolarity, and promote shared prosperity through gradual institutional reforms. By maintaining institutional adaptability while deepening targeted cooperation, the expanded BRICS mechanism can reshape global governance for an era of equitable development and innovation.
Writer: FENG Zihan
Proofreader: WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
