Under the theme 'Empowering Global South, Navigating Global Changes,' the forum is far more than another international gathering. It is a platform where journalists, scholars, policymakers and entrepreneurs from the Global South are redefining how their stories are told in a world where Western media still dominates the narrative.
From Africa to Asia and Latin America, participants converged to push for greater cooperation in shaping global governance. East African representatives, including those from Rwanda and Uganda, joined peers from across the Global South in calling for stronger information-sharing and a unified approach to addressing global challenges.
Speakers stressed that the Global South can no longer afford to be an audience to narratives set elsewhere. Instead, it must take charge of telling its own story, highlighting not just its struggles but its progress, innovations and aspirations.
Artificial intelligence was one of the most animated topics. Delegates shared views on how AI is reshaping the media and societies, offering opportunities for faster reporting and broader reach, but also posing risks of misinformation and job losses.
Rather than rejecting the technology, many argued for embracing it strategically, developing local solutions, regulating its use and turning AI into a tool for good. Workshops highlighted how AI can be used to preserve cultural heritage, enhance fact-checking and make smaller media outlets more competitive on the global stage.
The choice of Yunnan as the venue carried special symbolism. Known for its cultural diversity and stunning landscapes, the province reflects the richness and complexity of the Global South itself, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and positioned at the crossroads of Asia.
For many delegates, Kunming offered not just a picturesque backdrop but also an environment that embodied the forum's mission: dialogue, exchange and unity amid diversity.
The forum was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, together with the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Yunnan Province. Xinhua's president, Fu Hua, pledged the agency's readiness to partner with Global South media in telling authentic stories and amplifying the region's voice in international discourse.
The message was clear: through cooperation, research, and stronger communication networks, the Global South can move from the margins of global storytelling to the center.
As the forum continues, participants are focused on turning dialogue into action, whether by forging cross-border partnerships, launching collaborative projects or using technology to close the information gap.
The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum is not just a meeting of minds in Kunming. It is a step toward a future where the Global South speaks for itself, louder, clearer, and together.
M.M.
