The Role of Inter-regional Parliamentary Dialogues in Enhancing Economic Integration and Shared Development Among Global South Countries – With a Focus on Nigeria’s Interventions.
A Presentation by me at the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, Morrocco, today 28th April, 2025
In a world gripped by shifting tides and emerging uncertainties, the Global South stands at a crossroads—not of decline, but of destiny. We are not the periphery of history; we are its next great chapter.
Bound by shared struggles yet endowed with unparalleled potential, the nations of the Global South must now move from dreams to deeds, from promises to partnerships.
Today, we gather with the purpose to write a new story of integration, development, and shared prosperity. Our faith is anchored in the belief that dialogue can be our destiny. Our intent is fueled by the conviction that legislative collaboration can be the engine of transformation.
Let us forge bonds that are stronger than geography, let us shape policies that are larger than politics, and let us build a future brighter than the past. Through sustained interregional parliamentary dialogue, we can be the architects of a new era—an era where no nation is too small to matter, and no dream too bold to pursue.
Opening Context
The Global South must respond to economic and geopolitical challenges through collaboration, not isolation.
Interregional parliamentary dialogue is a vital instrument for synchronizing trade policies, legal frameworks, and institutional cooperation.
Core Arguments
Parliamentary Diplomacy as a Tool: No longer a passive extension of foreign policy, but central to economic integration, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.
Existing Platforms:
Institutions like the Pan-African Parliament, PARLATINO, ASEAN IPA, and BRICS Parliamentary Forum are effective models of regional legislative cooperation.
Nigeria’s Strategic Interventions
Pan-African Parliament: Advocating AfCFTA and shaping trade, customs, and digital laws.
ECOWAS Parliament Leadership: Driving initiatives like the regional electricity market, ECO currency, and infrastructure financing.
Bilateral & Multilateral Legislative Exchanges: Partnerships with Brazil, India, South Africa in agriculture, education, climate action.
Peace through Parliamentary Diplomacy: Addressing conflict in Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
Digital Legislative Transformation: Embracing virtual forums and e-governance to increase participation and transparency.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Reforms: Attracting regional/international investment in transport, housing, energy.
Climate Advocacy: Supporting clean energy laws, sustainable development, and contributing to Africa’s climate negotiation stance.
Proposing a South-South Legislative Council: Institutionalizing collaboration across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean.
The Way Forward
Deepen and digitize legislative collaborations.
Build capacity and inclusive frameworks for sustained engagement.
Integrate AI, green industrialization, and autonomous financial systems for future-readiness.
Final Thoughts
Economic integration among Global South nations must be intentional—legislated, negotiated, institutionalized.
Nigeria is committed to leading and uniting for a shared future of the Global South.
Conclusion:
Let history record that when the Global South stood at the crossroads of uncertainty and opportunity, we chose unity over isolation, collaboration over complacency, and purpose over despair. Let it be said that through the bridges we built with dialogue and the laws we crafted with vision, we unlocked the gates of shared prosperity for generations yet unborn.
The future we seek is not a distant hope—it is a living possibility, shaped by our courage, our convictions, and our collective will.
Together, through the power of parliamentary cooperation, we will not merely witness change; we will be the architects of it.
My sincere thanks to everyone for your kind attention. God bless us.
The Role of Inter-regional Parliamentary Dialogues in Enhancing Economic Integration and Shared Development Among Global South Countries – With a Focus on Nigeria’s Interventions.
A Presentation by me at the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, Morrocco, today 28th April, 2025
In a world gripped by shifting tides and emerging uncertainties, the Global South stands at a crossroads—not of decline, but of destiny. We are not the periphery of history; we are its next great chapter.
Bound by shared struggles yet endowed with unparalleled potential, the nations of the Global South must now move from dreams to deeds, from promises to partnerships.
Today, we gather with the purpose to write a new story of integration, development, and shared prosperity. Our faith is anchored in the belief that dialogue can be our destiny. Our intent is fueled by the conviction that legislative collaboration can be the engine of transformation.
Let us forge bonds that are stronger than geography, let us shape policies that are larger than politics, and let us build a future brighter than the past. Through sustained interregional parliamentary dialogue, we can be the architects of a new era—an era where no nation is too small to matter, and no dream too bold to pursue.
Opening Context
The Global South must respond to economic and geopolitical challenges through collaboration, not isolation.
Interregional parliamentary dialogue is a vital instrument for synchronizing trade policies, legal frameworks, and institutional cooperation.
Core Arguments
Parliamentary Diplomacy as a Tool: No longer a passive extension of foreign policy, but central to economic integration, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.
Existing Platforms:
Institutions like the Pan-African Parliament, PARLATINO, ASEAN IPA, and BRICS Parliamentary Forum are effective models of regional legislative cooperation.
Nigeria’s Strategic Interventions
Pan-African Parliament: Advocating AfCFTA and shaping trade, customs, and digital laws.
ECOWAS Parliament Leadership: Driving initiatives like the regional electricity market, ECO currency, and infrastructure financing.
Bilateral & Multilateral Legislative Exchanges: Partnerships with Brazil, India, South Africa in agriculture, education, climate action.
Peace through Parliamentary Diplomacy: Addressing conflict in Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
Digital Legislative Transformation: Embracing virtual forums and e-governance to increase participation and transparency.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Reforms: Attracting regional/international investment in transport, housing, energy.
Climate Advocacy: Supporting clean energy laws, sustainable development, and contributing to Africa’s climate negotiation stance.
Proposing a South-South Legislative Council: Institutionalizing collaboration across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean.
The Way Forward
Deepen and digitize legislative collaborations.
Build capacity and inclusive frameworks for sustained engagement.
Integrate AI, green industrialization, and autonomous financial systems for future-readiness.
Final Thoughts
Economic integration among Global South nations must be intentional—legislated, negotiated, institutionalized.
Nigeria is committed to leading and uniting for a shared future of the Global South.
Conclusion:
Let history record that when the Global South stood at the crossroads of uncertainty and opportunity, we chose unity over isolation, collaboration over complacency, and purpose over despair. Let it be said that through the bridges we built with dialogue and the laws we crafted with vision, we unlocked the gates of shared prosperity for generations yet unborn.
The future we seek is not a distant hope—it is a living possibility, shaped by our courage, our convictions, and our collective will.
Together, through the power of parliamentary cooperation, we will not merely witness change; we will be the architects of it.
My sincere thanks to everyone for your kind attention. God bless us.
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