South Centre Statement to the First Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
Geneva, 6-7 July 2026
AI governance needs implementation of multilateral commitments, backed by financing & measurable progress. International cooperation & AI capacity-building for the Global South is key to leverage AI for development.
South Centre Statement to the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization: Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings, July 7 to 15, 2026
Statement delivered today by the South Centre at the 68th Series of Meetings of the WIPO Assemblies (Geneva, 7–15 July 2026):
The South Centre reaffirmed that development is integral to WIPO’s mandate as a UN specialized agency, and that IP rules must strike a fair balance with the public interest — including access to educational materials, health technologies, and green technologies — in line with the SDGs.
Key points raised:
🔹 As the WIPO Development Agenda approaches its 20th anniversary, the Assemblies should reaffirm and strengthen it in 2027.
🔹 Concern that standing committees are not reporting to the General Assembly on Development Agenda implementation, as decided in 2017.
🔹 A call for real progress on copyright limitations and exceptions, and on protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.
🔹 A call on the Coordination Committee to respect geographical and gender balance in staff recruitment under Staff Regulation 4.2 — flagging that the proposed Deputy Director General appointments skew toward developed countries and reduce gender balance, leaving three regional groups, including Asia and the Pacific, unrepresented.
The South Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting developing countries and LDCs, including graduating members, in using the full policy space and flexibilities of the IP system to meet their development needs.
ECOWAS Commission and the South Centre Congratulate the Liberia Revenue Authority and National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone on the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Operationalizing the Simultaneous Tax Examination
Abuja and Geneva, 22 June 2026
The South Centre and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission congratulate the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone on the signing of an MoU operationalizing the Global South’s first Simultaneous Tax Examination.
This landmark exercise, where two national tax administrations join forces to audit the same Multinational Enterprise, has significant revenue potential for Liberia and Sierra Leone, common Member States of the South Centre and ECOWAS.
Statement by South Centre
Annual panel discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights
62nd Session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva, 19 June 2026
During the Annual panel discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, the South Centre delivered a statement.
Climate action must be anchored in the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and supported by adequate, predictable, and accessible finance. The statement outlines four actionable pathways:
Realising human rights demands climate justice, requiring equitable, accessible, and rights-based finance to repair historical harms.
South Centre Statement on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: Health As an Enabler of Dignity, A/HRC/62/66
Geneva, 17 June 2026
The South Centre welcomed the Special Rapporteur’s report on the right to health and emphasized three priorities for developing countries: health equity, international cooperation and solidarity, and maternal and sexual and reproductive health rights.
26TH COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOUTH CENTRE: COMPILATION OF STATEMENTS
June 2026
This is a compilation of the statements at the Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Council of Representatives of the South Centre held on 23 April 2026, which includes the following:
Statement by the South Centre: WIPO ACE 18th Session
June 2026
At the 18th Session of WIPO’s Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE), South Centre called for intellectual property enforcement grounded in development, that is balanced, proportionate & consistent with TRIPS flexibilities. Not just counterfeiting: preventing the misappropriation of genetic resources & traditional knowledge belongs on the agenda too.
Promoting Trade in Services to Advance Global Development Cooperation
Presentation of Dr. Carlos M. Correa, South Centre Executive Director, at the Seminar “Promoting Trade in Services to Advance Global Development Cooperation” organized by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations in Geneva, 28 May 2026
With world services exports surpassing 9.5 trillion USD in 2025, we are living through a boom of trade in services largely supported by the growing use of digital technologies. But many developing countries risk being left behind due to persistent gaps in digital infrastructure, skills, and regulatory frameworks.
Statement Delivered by the South Centre to the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79)
Agenda Item 12.5 Primary Healthcare
Agenda Item 12.8 Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
Primary healthcare (PHC) is the backbone of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), health system resilience and the right to health. It is our first line of defense in emergencies and pandemics. Bold investment in PHC is overdue. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), the health workforce, integrated services and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) response cannot wait.
Statement Delivered by the South Centre to the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79)
Agenda Item 12.9, Draft Updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a silent pandemic and developing countries pay the highest price.
At the World Health Assembly, the South Centre called for bold action:
The South Centre continues to champion a fair and effective global AMR response.
What will it take to make AMR a true political priority?
27 TH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT (21 MAY 2026, PDN-TEMPUS)
Panel: Tax-related illicit financial flows and the right to development
South Centre Intervention
The South Centre’s spoke at the United Nations’ 27th Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development on a panel discussion on tax-related illicit financial flows and the right to development.
Key points:
– The UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UNFCITC) must include tax avoidance in the definition of tax-related illicit financial flows (TIFFs)
– UNFCITC must also include an effective monitoring mechanism so progress on reducing TIFFs can be measured
– Public Country by Country Reporting (pCBCR) of tax paid is a key component of the fight against TIFFs and the South Centre is taking various actions to promote pCBCR
– UNFCITC’s second protocol’s tools on dispute prevention like joint audits have huge potential to reduce TIFFs
– UNFCITC’s Conference of Parties will play a central role in ensuring effectiveness and must be well designed.
Statement by the South Centre on the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement
Geneva, 18 May 2026
The South Centre welcomes the one-year extension to finalise the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex.
Developing countries showed remarkable unity and put forward concrete proposals. Had these been the basis of work, negotiations could have concluded sooner. Now all Parties must rise to the moment and deliver an Annex that meaningfully advances equity in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
