The term ‘Global South’ was first used by academic and social activist, Carl Oglesby, in 1969. He used it to describe the persistent socio-economic dominance held by Western and European powers over countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East and much of the Asian subcontinent including China.

Today, in the context of accelerated globalisation and a worldwide environmental crisis, the concept of a Global South has acquired more and more relevance – both as a geo-political shorthand and an international imperative.