Commit to the Global South

Abstract

Vulnerabilities of the world’s least developed countries to health, economic, and environmental crises were recently in the spotlight at a United Nations (UN) conference in Qatar. In March, the Doha Programme of Action was announced as a call for the developed world to renew commitments to support low- and middle-income countries in overcoming major challenges. UN Secretary General António Guterres aptly stated there are “no more excuses.” Such a commitment requires Global North-South and South-South partnerships that harness science and technology and that also empower the South to sustain progress. As a scientist from the Global South who can attest to science’s transformative role in this region of the world, individuals and organizations across sectors and society can play a strong role in supporting such a commitment.