Other Publications

South Centre Commentary, 9 July 2025

WTO Reform: Facilitator’s Report on Initial Consultations (JOB/GC/445)

Commentary, 9 July 2025

By Vahini Naidu, Trade for Development Programme, South Centre

This commentary provides a critical analysis of the Facilitator’s Report on Initial Consultations on WTO Reform, highlighting the absence of a shared reform objective, the fragmentation of issues, and the risks posed to developing country priorities, particularly with respect to the Special and Differential Treatment and self-designation, and the consensus-based decision-making. It examines the legal and institutional implications of current reform narratives and cautions against proposals that may entrench rather than correct systemic imbalances.

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SC Inputs on Draft Issues Notes on UNFCITC, 11 July 2025

South Centre Inputs on the Draft Issues Notes on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation

11 July 2025

In preparation for the First and Second Sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UNFCITC) to be held in August 2025, the Co-Leads of each of the three Workstreams have released Draft Issues Notes for public comments. The Issues Notes are meant to provide direction on the content of the UNFCITC and its two early protocols on services and dispute prevention and resolution.

There are three Issues Notes:

1. Workstream I on the framework convention

2. Workstream II on the taxation of services

3. Workstream III on dispute prevention and resolution

The South Centre submitted inputs on all three Issues Notes on 11 July 2025 which are reproduced below:

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SC Technical Report on AMS Post-COVID-19, 26 June 2025

Policy in Practice: Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Post-COVID-19

Q&A and Commentary

By Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy

This report summarises the key questions and expert commentary for the South Centre, as well as the South Centre Policy Brief on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and provide practical recommendations discussed during the South Centre webinar on “Strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship: Policy Insights from COVID-19 and Future Pandemic Preparedness.”

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SC Briefing Report on SRHR, June 2025

Advancing Women and Girls’ Health in a Time of Converging Crises

South Centre Briefing Session (April 2025) Report

The South Centre hosted a high-level briefing session aimed at advancing the health rights of women and girls in the face of multiple global challenges. The meeting coincided with the South Centre’s 30th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, bringing together ambassadors, health experts, and representatives of international organisations to discuss the protection and advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Global South.

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Compulsory License & Government Use Table, June 2025

Scope of Compulsory License and Government Use of Patented Medicines

To meet public health needs governments can use compulsory licenses and government use as a tool for procurement and import of patented medicines. These mechanisms are provided for in most laws worldwide. The WTO TRIPS Agreement, as reaffirmed by the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, recognises the right of WTO members to grant compulsory licenses and their freedom to determine the grounds upon which such licenses may be granted.

This table provides information of instances of their use.

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SC Webinar Report – AMS, COVID-19 & Pandemic Preparedness, May 2025

Webinar Report:

Advancing Antimicrobial Stewardship Policies: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Priorities for Future Health Emergencies

By Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy

Our recent South Centre webinar examined how the pandemic created a dual challenge for global health:

– MISUSE: 35-75% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients received antibiotics despite low bacterial co-infection rates.

– ACCESS BARRIERS: The pandemic disrupted supply chains and healthcare access, limiting antimicrobial availability in many regions.

This paradox—overuse alongside access challenges—must inform future pandemic preparedness.

Our experts call for:

– Integrating antimicrobial stewardship into emergency response

– AMS frameworks must be established BEFORE health emergencies

– Strengthening surveillance systems and diagnostic capacity

– Ensuring sustainable and equitable access to antimicrobials

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SC Report – AMR NAPs & Health Financing, April 2025

Advancing National Action Plans on Antimicrobial Resistance amidst Health Financing Challenges

By Afreenish Amir

The South Centre held a webinar on advancing national action plans (NAPs) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) amidst health financial challenges, on 20 March 2025. The webinar brought together various national focal point leads for NAPs on AMR and international experts.

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South Centre Input to UNSG Report on Implementation of UNGA Resolution A/RES/79/7, March 2025

Contribución del Centro Sur al Informe del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas sobre la aplicación de la Resolución A/RES/79/7 de la Asamblea General sobre la “Necesidad de poner fin al bloqueo económico, comercial y financiero impuesto por los Estados Unidos de América contra Cuba”

Esta contribución del Centro Sur se presenta en respuesta a la solicitud del Secretario General como un aporte al informe del Secretario General de acuerdo a la resolución A/RES/79/7, con respecto a la imposición de medidas económicas, financieras y comerciales unilaterales por parte de los Estados Unidos de América, contra Cuba, en violación de los principios básicos de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y el Derecho Internacional.

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South Centre Report, March 2025

Unifying Efforts against Antimicrobial Resistance: Supporting Collective Efforts During WAAW 2024

By Francesca Chiara

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health challenge, demanding urgent and coordinated efforts. During World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, 27 impactful projects targeting more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America amplified the theme “Educate, Advocate, Act Now.” The projects were selected by the South Centre for funding, with support of the United Kingdom Fleming Fund. This is the third year this financial support is offered to selected Civil Society Organization (CSO) projects, based on a call for applications.

These initiatives directly reached over 3000 individuals through training sessions, workshops, and targeted advocacy campaigns. Many more were engaged through social media and grassroots activities. This overview highlights the transformative impact of these campaigns.

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SC Submission to the SR on Climate Change – Fossil Fuel-based Economy & Human Rights, February 2025

Fossil Fuel-based Economy and Human Rights

Inputs to Inform the Thematic Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change to the Human Rights Council 59th session

South Centre

February 2025

The South Centre calls for a Just Transition away from fossil fuels, centering the rights of marginalized communities & the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

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SC Inputs to the Expert Mechanism on the RtD Study, February 2025

Inputs to the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development Study on Climate Justice, Sustainability, and the Right to Development

February 2025

The South Centre inputs to the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development Study on Climate Justice, Sustainability, and the Right to Development makes a call for upholding Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDRRC) in ensuring a just transition, protecting the human rights of the most affected populations and reforming Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms that threaten climate action.

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SC input on update to technical guidance pursuant to HRC resolution 54/16, February 2025

Input on the update to the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity pursuant to HRC resolution 54/16

February 2025

Maternal mortality is a global crisis. The South Centre input calls for urgent action: addressing intersectional discrimination, improving the quality of care, and tackling root causes like poverty, and to guarantee that every woman has access to a safe childbirth.

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