Shanghai’s Fudan University has become the permanent home for a new international intellectual cooperative as the Secretariat of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance was formally inaugurated on Thursday. The establishment occurred during the third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue, marking a significant advancement in South-South cooperation frameworks.
The alliance, initially proposed during the ‘BRICS Plus’ leaders’ dialogue in Kazan, Russia in October 2024, represents a strategic initiative to strengthen collaborative networks among developing nations. Its core mission centers on advocating for a more balanced multipolar world order and promoting inclusive global governance structures that better represent Global South interests.
Operating under the auspices of Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs, the Secretariat will function as the central coordinating body for member institutions worldwide. It will facilitate academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and expert personnel deployments across the alliance network. The Secretariat will additionally serve as a knowledge repository and resource hub supporting collaborative projects among participating think tanks.
A distinctive feature of the initiative involves leveraging Fudan University’s artificial intelligence capabilities to address development challenges specific to Global South nations. The Secretariat will pioneer innovative cooperation models through technological integration, positioning AI as a transformative tool for southern hemisphere development.
Fudan University President Jin Li emphasized the institution’s longstanding commitment to Global South studies during the launch ceremony. ‘Our university has cultivated specialized expertise in Global South research and educated generations of students dedicated to southern hemisphere development,’ Jin stated. He further committed to deepening collaboration with alliance members to advance modernization efforts across developing nations and establish a more equitable international architecture.