No north/south divide, fight is to ensure justice globally

Some may argue that the world is divided between a "Global North" and a "Global South." But what exactly is meant by that?

- Jean-Noël Barrot

Some may argue that the world is divided between a "Global North" and a "Global South." But what exactly is meant by that? An economic difference? Of the 20 leading global economies, seven are in the "South." In the "South," some countries are 80 times richer than their neighbours. A climate difference? The climate crisis affects every country in the world, especially small island states and the poorest countries. Among the 10 greatest emitters, if we go by CO2 emissions per inhabitant, there are as many in the North as in the South. Are we talking about a migration difference? The vast majority of migrations are between countries in the South. A political divide? In both the North and the South, there are those who support collective solutions, and conversely, those who support efforts to withdraw from global affairs. In both the North and the South, there is competition between regional powers. In both the North and the South, there are countries that comply with international law and others that flout it.

The discussion we should be having, at G20 meetings and everywhere else, is not the supposed clash between North and South, but between those who support the law and those who support might is right.