Presentation by Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate, at the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum, Rabat, Morocco | April 28, 2025

In a world shaped by shifting tides and emerging uncertainties, the Global South stands not at the margins of history—but at the frontier of its next great chapter.

Bound by shared struggles yet endowed with unparalleled potential, the nations of the Global South must now move from dreams to deeds, from promises to partnerships. Today, as we gather at the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, we reaffirm a powerful truth: Dialogue is not just our method; it is our destiny. Legislative collaboration can be the engine that transforms aspirations into tangible progress.

Let us forge bonds that transcend borders. Let us shape policies that outlive politics. And together, let us build a future brighter than the past. Through sustained interregional parliamentary dialogue, we can be the architects of a new era—an era where no nation is too small to matter, and no dream too bold to pursue.

Opening Context: Unity in a Time of Challenge

The Global South faces serious economic and geopolitical challenges. The way forward is not isolation—it is collaboration.

Interregional parliamentary dialogue offers a crucial tool for synchronizing trade policies, aligning legal frameworks, and deepening institutional cooperation across regions. It is how we can respond proactively to global pressures and harness collective strength.

Core Arguments

Parliamentary Diplomacy as a Strategic Tool

Today, parliamentary diplomacy is no longer a passive extension of foreign policy. It is central to economic integration, conflict resolution, and sustainable development across the Global South.

Proven Models of Regional Collaboration

Institutions like the Pan-African Parliament, PARLATINO (Latin America), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, and the BRICS Parliamentary Forum offer clear examples of how legislative cooperation can yield real progress.

Nigeria’s Strategic Interventions

Under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria stands proudly at the forefront of legislative leadership across the Global South:

• Pan-African Parliament: Advocating for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and shaping modern trade, customs, and digital laws.
• ECOWAS Parliament Leadership: Driving regional initiatives such as the regional electricity market, the ECO currency project, and critical infrastructure financing.
• Bilateral & Multilateral Legislative Exchanges: Partnering with nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa in agriculture, education, and climate action.
• Peace through Parliamentary Diplomacy: Actively addressing conflict in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions.
• Digital Legislative Transformation: Pioneering virtual forums and e-governance tools to enhance legislative participation and transparency.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Reforms: Attracting regional and international investments in transport, housing, and energy through updated legal frameworks.
• Climate Advocacy: Supporting clean energy laws, promoting sustainable development, and contributing to Africa’s stance at global climate negotiations.
• Proposing a South-South Legislative Council: Envisioning a permanent institution for legislative collaboration among Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The Way Forward

• Deepen and Digitize: Invest in virtual platforms and digitized exchanges to sustain legislative collaboration.
• Capacity Building: Develop inclusive frameworks that equip lawmakers with the tools and knowledge for effective engagement.
• Integrate Future Technologies: Leverage AI, green industrialization, and autonomous financial systems to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today.

Final Thoughts: Writing a New Chapter Together

Economic integration among Global South nations must not be left to chance. It must be legislated, negotiated, and institutionalized.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio remains committed to leading initiatives that unite, uplift, and empower the Global South toward a shared destiny.

Let history record that when the Global South stood at the crossroads of uncertainty and opportunity, we chose unity over isolation, collaboration over complacency, and purpose over despair.

Let it be said that through the bridges we built with dialogue and the laws we crafted with vision, we unlocked the gates of shared prosperity for generations yet unborn.
The future we seek is not a distant dream—it is a living possibility, shaped by our courage, our convictions, and our collective will.

Through the power of parliamentary cooperation, we will not merely witness change; we will be the architects of it.

Thank you for your kind attention. God bless the Global South, and God bless Nigeria.