The Center for the Global South Studies (CGSS) at the Indonesian Institute for Foreign Affairs (IIFA) is dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering dialogue on the political and economic trajectories of countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Centre provides a platform for rigorous, multidisciplinary research on the role of the Global South in shaping international order and global governance at a time of profound fragmentation and change.
Our work is driven by the conviction that the future of world order depends increasingly on the agency of the Global South. We examine the strategies of middle powers and emerging powers from across the South, with particular attention to their contributions to regional stability, economic transformation, and global norm-setting. By foregrounding the perspectives and experiences of the South, the Centre seeks to envision pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable international system.
Research Priorities
The CGS focuses on three interrelated areas:
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South–South Relations and Cooperation
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Analysing patterns of political, economic, and security cooperation among Global South countries.
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Exploring innovative models of partnership that strengthen collective voice and agency in global governance.
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Middle Powers and Emerging Powers in the South
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Studying how rising powers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America contribute to global economic and political transformation.
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Assessing their roles in reshaping multilateralism and advancing developmental agendas.
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Country Studies and Policy Engagement
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Conducting in-depth studies of key Global South countries to generate evidence-based insights for policymakers.
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Providing analysis to inform Indonesia’s and the region’s engagement with Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The Centre also serves as the institutional home of the Global South Forum (globalsouthforum.org), an initiative that curates dialogue, research, and debate on the Global South’s evolving role in world politics. Through this platform and its wider activities, the CGS strives to amplify Southern perspectives, foster cross-regional understanding, and contribute to the construction of a more balanced and representative world order.
