Wook Jin-Chang: Global South NGO Platform to strengthen positions of countries in region on int'l stage

The creation of the Global South NGO Platform is a timely step that will help strengthen the position of the countries of the southern hemisphere in the international arena, the representative of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Wook-Jin Chang, told journalists on the sidelines of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku, Report informs.

"I would like to congratulate the government of Azerbaijan, NGOs and the people on holding today's significant event, which will unite all the NGOs of the Global South to solve the global problems that we are facing right now," he said.

Wook-Jin Chang emphasized that the UN actively interacts with non-governmental organizations and plans to expand cooperation with the Global South.

"Currently, 6,500 NGOs are accredited to the UN Economic and Social Council, but less than 40% of them represent countries of the Global South. However, 60-70% of UN members are countries of the Global North and South," he explained.

He stressed that many challenges, including the achievement of sustainable development goals, require more active participation of organizations from the countries of the Global South.

In this context, the new platform can become an important venue for discussing and solving urgent problems, the UN representative added.