Global South Media and Think Tank Forum Opens in China’s Yunnan, Launches New Cooperation Network

According to Rokna the five-day forum, themed “Empowering Global South, Navigating Global Changes,” has brought together nearly 500 participants from 110 countries and international organizations, including journalists, scholars, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

According to the organizers, the primary aim of the gathering is to translate dialogue into action, by promoting practical cooperation, strengthening communication frameworks, and generating shared intellectual resources. The event officially launched the Global South Joint Communication Partnership Network, a coalition of more than 1,000 media and research institutions from 95 countries, designed to enhance collaboration in news production, analysis, and dissemination.

Delegates also introduced two key documents: the Yunnan Consensus, a commitment to joint communication efforts, and a report highlighting China’s contributions to global intellectual exchange through South–South cooperation. Both documents underscore the need for shared principles to guide cooperation and promote balanced narratives in international discourse.

Xinhua News Agency President Fu Hua emphasized that Global South nations must strengthen partnerships to ensure their perspectives are properly reflected in the global arena. He noted that, as the Global South accounts for 40 percent of global GDP and contributes more than 80 percent of worldwide economic growth, its voice must carry corresponding weight in shaping international communication and governance.

Workshops and plenary sessions throughout the week will focus on peace-oriented narratives, AI-driven journalism, cultural and heritage preservation, and sustainable development. Organizers stressed that the ultimate goal of the forum is to convert discussions into impactful projects and policies that reinforce the influence of the Global South in global affairs.

Analysts view the forum as a demonstration of the Global South’s determination to transform its economic strength into political, intellectual, and communicative influence, signaling a more assertive role in shaping the international order.