ABSTRACT
North-South relations reflect power asymmetries between the Global North (developed countries) and the Global South (developing countries), rooted in colonial legacies and socioeconomic inequalities. Despite progress, disparities in the economy, technology, and capacity persist, affecting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While SDGs advocate for equitable partnerships, they often overlook enduring power imbalances and geopolitical fissures. The Global South, facing challenges like poverty, inequality and energy access issues, is frequently marginalized, as seen in extractive practices involving critical minerals essential to global energy transitions. North-South partnerships are hindered by exclusionary decision-making processes, unequal access to resources, and a lack of recognition of pluralistic knowledge(s). While the SDG framework provides a platform for global cooperation, genuine progress requires participatory decision-making and equitable resource distribution that recognizes diverse realities, knowledge(s) and needs across the Global South and North.
