The self-reliance of southern countries in the globalised world is the main focus of an international seminar co-organised by the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) and the South-South People’s Solidarity Network (SSPSN) in Hanoi.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on August 13, VPDF President Nguyen Thi Binh, who is former Vice State President, said that the event aims to identify both challenges and opportunities southern countries are facing in the context of globalisation and rapid changes of today’s international situation.

Nadja Charaby, Director of the Rosa Luxembourg Stiftung Vietnam, highlighted challenges the southern countries need to overcome as well as ways to strengthen solidarity among them and maintain connectivity between northern and southern nations.

Domestic and international delegates are expected to propose measures for the countries to safeguard their independence and self-reliance, and ensure sustainable development, thus contributing to building a better and more equal world.

During the two-day seminar, scientists and scholars from Southeast Asian, Asian, Latin American and European also focus discussions on the impact of the world economic order and globalisation on southern countries’ economic development and sovereignty, and practical lessons about development in several nations.

SSPSN is a network for progressive social organisations and movements in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America, struggling for a people-centered world of peace, security, equality and sustainable development.-VNA