World leaders and diplomats at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey have called for greater inclusion of the Global South in global decision-making, warning that deepening geopolitical fractures and economic rivalries are weakening international cooperation and imperilling peace.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang and several other heads of state spoke at the forum on Friday, held under the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World”.
The gathering came against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, including the trade war between the United States and China, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
“It is critical to have more bilateral diplomacy and regional diplomacy and prepare the ground for a new world order,” Cevdet Yilmaz, Turkey’s vice-president told the meeting, noting that economic rivalry is emerging as a more germane problem for the world than military challenges.
“This recent tariff war is a very clear point to underline the discussions,” he said.
China raised its tariffs on US products to 125 per cent, hitting back against US President Donald Trump’s decision to hike duties on Chinese goods to 145 per cent in a trade war that threatens to disrupt global supply chains.
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China raises tariffs on US goods to 125% as Xi calls on EU to resist ‘unilateral bullying’
China raises tariffs on US goods to 125% as Xi calls on EU to resist ‘unilateral bullying’
The global stand-off can only change with the active participation of more nations by opening multiple channels of communication, Yilmaz said.