An international forum to discuss global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality is underway in Nairobi.
The two-day forum which started on May 15 aims to devise innovative ways for a more inclusive future model of development and shape a comprehensive action plan.
The meeting is being held between the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC) and representatives of civil society, academia and scientists.
The forum being held under the is under the theme 'Defining the Third Way of Development' was officially opened by the Secretary General Sheikh Manssour.
“I am too conscious of the historic nature of this Pan-African consultation meeting. Historic not only for Africa but also for the entirety of the Greater South," Manssour said.
"This Pan-African consultation of intellectuals, scientists, artists and youth as well as civil society organisations is one amongst several regional and sectoral consultations being convened by the OSC," he said.
The forum offers a platform for collective action visionary thinking, and actionable execution.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across regions and sectors, ConGreS seeks to forge a path toward shared prosperity and human dignity.
Participants are expected to come up with visionary ideas which will address global challenges such as poverty and climate change, and promote a new multilateralism, the first in a series of such discussions.
Consequently, the same will also be rolled out in the Pacific and Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, and Southeast Asian regions.
Other high-level delegates to the consultations include President of All-Africa Students Union (AASU) Varney Alieu and President of the Network of African Sciences Academies (NASAC) Nobert Hounkonnou.
Hounkonnou said that NASAC believes that the ConGreS can help address the issues that hinder equitable, sustainable, and inclusive human progress beyond Africa.
“This is only one of the many ways that OSC can provide an institutional platform for promoting South-South cooperation," Hounkonnou said.
"In partnership with other like-minded organisations, NASAC is ready to strategically cooperate to lend our voice to demanding science-informed and socially conscious sustainable development is pursued in Africa.”
The sessions will brainstorm and produce concrete steps forward on the CongReS 2024 as a catalyst for a new Third Way of Development, prioritising human dignity, equity, solidarity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
"Consultations are set to address the global challenges of climate change, poverty, inequality and knowledge democratisation to shape a comprehensive action plan," OSC said.
OSC added: "Promote Multilateralism, through strengthened global cooperation, alliances and an amplified voice of the Global South in international decision-making."
The organisation is also aimed at adopting a common road map and collective plan of action to build a Third Way of Development, reflecting the aspirations and needs of the South for Humanity.