Voices of the Global South Amplified at the 13th Global Video Media Forum

Empowering Voices at the Global Video Media Forum

On November 9, 2025, Xi'an, a historic city in China's Shaanxi province, played host to the 13th Global Video Media Forum (VMF), marking a significant gathering aimed at boosting the voices of the Global South. The event brought together over 300 distinguished guests, including representatives from government bodies, media leaders, and diplomats from around 40 countries and regions. The forum's primary theme was "Building Consensus for Mutual Benefit: The Role of Media in a Global Order," highlighting the need for enhanced cooperation among media entities from developing nations.

The inaugural session marked the official launch of the Global South Media Partners Mechanism, an initiative spearheaded by the China Media Group (CMG) aimed at fostering collaboration between media organizations in the Global South. This mechanism, designed to strengthen media partnerships, will facilitate content sharing, training, and joint productions, thus enabling a more robust dialogue and understanding among participating media entities.

According to CMG, this new platform features participation from 528 media organizations across 114 countries, reflecting a diverse coalition committed to addressing the challenges and opportunities in media from the Global South. In his opening remarks, Zhao Yide, Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized the province's eagerness to enhance media collaboration and foster learning among civilizations.

Prominent global leaders, such as Asif Ali Zardari, the former President of Pakistan, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President of Sri Lanka, sent congratulatory letters expressing their support for the forum and the newly launched mechanism for media cooperation. Shen Haixiong, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and President of CMG, stated that the Global Governance Initiative presented by President Xi Jinping directly addresses the urgent needs of countries within the Global South. He reaffirmed the importance of upholding journalistic professionalism and building platforms for dialogue that focus on development-oriented collaboration.

At the inauguration, influential figures from the media landscape, such as Ahmed Nadeem, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, and representatives from major media organizations, shared their insights on the pressing issues confronting the Global South, including the need for a more equitable global communication order.

Omar Razzaz, a former Prime Minister of Jordan, underscored the necessity for unity and collaboration among nations of the Global South as the path to overcoming current challenges. Meanwhile, Patrick Muyaya, Minister of Information and Media for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urged that media from the Global South must take a more active role in shaping narratives rather than adopting a passive stance in international discussions.

The forum also launched several collaborative initiatives, including the establishment of a Global South Media Training Center in Sanya, Hainan, aimed at enhancing the skills of media professionals from developing countries. Furthermore, CMG introduced three new streaming channels aimed at global audiences, thereby expanding the reach of Global South narratives.

An eye-opening survey titled "Perception of the World from the Global South" revealed that poverty, food security, and safety ranked among the top concerns for over 70% of respondents, emphasizing the urgency for reforms in the global order.

As the forum continued, it became evident that the collaboration not only aims to strengthen media presence but also to foster innovation and ethical practices. The Global South Stories project attracted creators from 73 countries, promoting diverse viewpoints and experiences.

In conclusion, the 13th Global Video Media Forum successfully served as a launchpad for numerous initiatives aimed at fostering a more equitable and inclusive global media environment. With its commitment to amplifying the voices of the Global South, the forum held significant promise for future cooperation in the media landscape, setting the stage for deeper connections among nations and cultures.