Idowu Patrick
The immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, has stressed the importance of open and transparent collaboration between the global North and South in harnessing the vast renewable energy potential and critical minerals found primarily in the South. This collaborative approach is vital for effective global action on climate, peace, and security.
Prof. Osinbajo delivered these remarks during a panel discussion titled “Resilient Systems: Managing Critical Dependencies” at the inaugural Future Resilience Forum (FRF) held in London. The event brought together an array of world and thought leaders from various sectors, including politics, energy, and diplomacy.
The panel, which included prominent figures like the Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, President of Senegal, Macky Sall, President of Iraq, Abdul Latif Rashid, former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, and Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President (Europe) and Head of UK operations at British Petroleum, provided a platform for insightful discussions on global resilience.
Prof. Osinbajo emphasized the need for the global South to be treated as equal partners, rather than subjects of influence. He stated, “Every day, it is becoming more obvious that what the global South requires is more collaboration, more thinking together, rather than the exertion of influence.”
The Vice President highlighted the critical role of the developing world in the quest for a climate-conducive trajectory. Many of the essential resources needed for sustainable development are located in the global South, and as numerous nations rise to world power status, these resource-rich nations now have a broader range of options for selecting their global partners.
The inaugural Future Resilience Forum commenced with keynote addresses from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Macky Sall of Senegal, focusing on “Resilience of the Global South and Why it Matters.” Subsequent discussions at the Forum covered topics including Resilient Systems, Democratic Resilience, Resilient Information Ecosystems, Technology and Accountability, and Resilient Food and Health Systems.
