Opoku-Agyemang Champions South-South Cooperation at Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger South-South cooperation based on mutual learning, respect for national differences and the development of solutions that reflect the unique circumstances of countries across the Global South.

She made the call while addressing the 2026 Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai, China, held under the theme, “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”

Delivering her address at the opening of the forum, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reflected on the shared historical struggles that shaped countries across the Global South, particularly their pursuit of political independence and self-determination.

“From the Pan-African vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to liberation movements across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, our shared history reminds us that political independence is only the beginning,” she said.

According to the Vice President, the more demanding task after independence is to build strong institutions, productive economies and responsive governance systems that meet citizens’ aspirations.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that winning political power and governing effectively are two distinct responsibilities, requiring continuous institutional development and a commitment to accountability.

She said political parties, governments, universities and other public institutions must continually adapt to changing circumstances while strengthening their capacity to respond to citizens’ needs.

“Political parties, governments, universities and other institutions must continually evolve, strengthen accountability and build the capacity to respond to changing realities,” she stated.

She emphasised that effective governance requires institutions capable of translating political independence into meaningful social and economic progress.

The Vice President’s remarks highlighted the importance of modernising political institutions and ensuring that governance systems remain responsive to the evolving expectations of citizens.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged that China’s development experience offers valuable lessons in long-term planning, industrialisation and institutional coordination.

However, she cautioned against the wholesale adoption of external development models, stressing that countries must account for their own histories, social conditions and economic realities.

She argued that meaningful cooperation among countries in the Global South should be built on mutual learning rather than the expectation that every country must follow an identical development path.

“Our different histories and circumstances require solutions that reflect our realities,” she said.

The Vice President maintained that countries could learn from one another’s successes and failures while developing policies suited to their individual needs.

Her remarks underscored the importance of partnerships that encourage knowledge exchange without undermining national priorities or differences in development experience.

The Vice President also called for stronger cooperation in research, education, technology and innovation, particularly as emerging technologies continue to transform economies around the world.

She said universities and research institutions across the Global South must work more closely together to share expertise, strengthen research capacity and develop solutions to challenges facing their societies.

“As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape our economies, universities and research institutions across the Global South must collaborate more directly, share knowledge, and develop solutions that meet our societies’ needs,” she noted.

She emphasised that deeper academic partnerships could help countries improve their capacity to respond to technological change and expand opportunities for innovation.

Such cooperation, she suggested, should focus on practical outcomes that support development priorities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further called for a more representative and equitable international system, urging countries in the Global South to work collectively towards improved multilateral cooperation.

She said this should include fairer global financial arrangements, stronger representation for developing countries in international institutions and greater participation in decisions affecting their economies and populations.

“We also need a more representative and equitable international order. The Global South must work towards better multilateralism, with fairer global financial arrangements, stronger representation in international institutions, and greater participation in shaping decisions that affect our countries,” she said.

Her comments highlighted the need for developing countries to strengthen their collective voice in global governance and advocate for international arrangements that better reflect their interests.

The Vice President also cautioned that effective cooperation does not require countries to share identical views or approaches to development.

Instead, she encouraged participants to embrace respectful disagreement, open dialogue and the willingness to learn from different experiences.

“Cooperation does not require us to think alike. We must have the confidence to disagree respectfully, learn from one another's successes and failures, and continue working together towards shared goals,” she stated.

She urged participants at the forum to sustain intellectual partnerships and honest exchanges that move beyond familiar debates and produce practical, actionable solutions for countries across the Global South.

Her address reinforced the importance of collaboration grounded in mutual respect, institutional development and shared efforts to address common challenges while preserving national differences.