Report by Lelethu Sobekwa

Kunming, China – From 5 to 7 September

The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum convened in Kunming, Yunnan Province, drawing over 300 participants from 110 countries. Hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Yunnan Provincial government, the forum has been hailed as a milestone for Africa and the Global South, affirming the importance of solidarity, collaboration, and the right to tell their own stories on their own terms.

The highlight of the gathering was the adoption of the Yunnan Consensus, a declaration that stressed the shared commitment of the Global South to justice, cooperation, and multilateralism. Delegates emphasized the urgent need to amplify the voice of the South in global governance, to reject hegemonic narratives, and to build a fairer international order.

Speaking to NNA News, Sello Lentsoane, Head of Platforms and Strategy at NNA TV Plus, said the forum is more than symbolic — it is about shifting global influence while avoiding divisions that weaken the South. “For far too long, Africa’s story has been told by others, often through lenses that do not reflect our realities. This forum was about reclaiming that voice, about ensuring that we as Africans, and as the Global South, speak for ourselves. But we must also recognize that the West is not down and out - it is likely re-strategizing and may return even stronger. Our focus should not be on fighting each other, but on finding ways to coexist and strengthen both hemispheres in a multipolar world,” he said.

The consensus underscored the importance of collaboration among media and think tanks as a foundation for progress. “Collaboration is the key,” Lentsoane added. “When African media work hand in hand with counterparts from Asia, Latin America, and beyond, we amplify our voice and strengthen our place in the global conversation. We must enforce multilateralism, not division - because a multipolar world only works if we stand together.”

A major theme of the Yunnan Consensus was the defense of true multilateralism. It rejected unilateralism and hegemony while calling for unity over division, cooperation over confrontation, and fairness over dominance. For Africa, this commitment is particularly significant as the continent works to harness its youthful population, natural resources, and cultural wealth in pursuit of sustainable development and modernization.

The forum also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence, noting both its promise and its risks. Delegates urged the responsible adoption of new technologies while protecting journalistic ethics and professional standards.

Reflecting on the broader significance of the event, Lentsoane said the Yunnan Consensus represents both a call to action and a reminder of responsibility. “The Yunnan Consensus is a powerful reminder that Africa is not just participating in global dialogue - we are shaping it. But shaping it responsibly means embracing solidarity, resisting division, and ensuring that we build a multipolar world where the South and the West coexist, balance each other, and drive humanity forward together,” he said.

As the forum concluded, participants left with a renewed determination to strengthen cooperation, deepen cultural exchanges, and advance the shared modernisation journey. For Africa and the Global South, the message was clear: the time has come to speak in one voice — not to dominate, but to balance, not to divide, but to unite.