Global South Perspectives on the Ukraine-Russia War
and Consequent Geopolitical Tensions
Universal Peace Federation UK
Date: 18th July 2023
The Universal Peace Federation – UK (UPF - UK) hosted an important international forum at its London Headquarters on 18 July 2023 to explore Global South perspectives on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War and the broader geopolitical tensions affecting the world. The event offered a much-needed platform for voices from Africa, South Asia, and the wider developing world—regions often underrepresented in mainstream international discourse.
The programme was moderated by Dr Afzal Ashraf, former University Lecturer in International Relations at Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham, and an experienced practitioner with extensive service in international security and conflict zones. He has also received an Ambassador for Peace award from UPF - UK in recognition of his efforts for peace.
The event featured distinguished speakers whose backgrounds span law, diplomacy, academia, cultural diplomacy, and humanitarian leadership.
(Click on the speaker's name for the video link of their speech.)
Hon. Muhammad Azhar Siddique: Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Chairman of the Judicial Activism Panel.
Prof. Saleh Dauda: Professor of International Relations at the University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr Mark C. Donfried: Executive Director and Founder of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy.
Emmanuel C. Njoku: Ambassador of ECOWAS. Chairman, Emma Njoku Foundation and Managing Director of Prezzo Shed Investments.
Questions and Answers Video of the Question and Answers Session.
Why Global South Perspectives Matter
The war in Ukraine has triggered far-reaching consequences for many nations in the Global South, particularly those heavily dependent on Ukraine for grain, food imports, and global trade routes. While international attention has focused primarily on the conflict’s military and political dimensions in Europe, developing nations face acute challenges related to:
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rising food insecurity
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economic and energy instability
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disrupted trade flows
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diplomatic pressures from global power blocs
By elevating these perspectives, UPF-UK reaffirmed its mission to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and peace among all nations, consistent with its founding principles of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values.
Key Themes Explored
1. Legal and Political Dimensions – Pakistan’s View
Hon. Azhar Siddique offered legal and geopolitical insights into how the conflict shapes governance, sovereignty debates, and political shifts across South Asia and the Islamic world.
2. African International Relations and Strategic Realities
Prof. Saleh Dauda examined the conflict from the standpoint of Africa’s international relations, emphasising how Global South nations often experience disproportionate humanitarian and economic consequences.
3. Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power
Dr Mark Donfried highlighted the vital role of cultural diplomacy in mitigating conflict, stressing the importance of building bridges between divided societies.
4. ECOWAS, Security, and Regional Cooperation
Ambassador Emmanuel Njoku discussed West Africa’s challenges, linking the Ukraine-Russia conflict to issues of food prices, insecurity, and peacebuilding across ECOWAS member states.
Interactive Dialogue & Q&A
The Q&A session provided participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, broadening the discussion on:
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non-aligned positions of many Global South nations
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alternative diplomatic frameworks
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food security challenges
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evolving global power dynamics
The interactive format encouraged respectful dialogue, a core component of UPF-UK’s peacebuilding ethos.
Biographies:
Moderator: Dr Afzal Ashraf has broad experience of International Relations and security issues, both as a practitioner and as an academic. This includes service as a senior officer in the UK Armed Forces in operations ranging from famine relief in Africa to stabilisation operations in the South Atlantic, deterrence support in the Cold War and strategic aspects of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As an Assistant Professor, Dr Ashraf taught International Relations at Loughborough University and at the University of Nottingham where he is now a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Conflict, Security and Terrorism.
Dr Mark C. Donfried is the current director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, a Berlin based NGO that he founded in 2001. His focus at the moment is fulfilling his role as director of the ICD in pursuit of its mission to extend research, programs and practices in the field of cultural diplomacy. Mark. Donfried also teaches courses in cultural diplomacy for the Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies.
Hon. Muhammad Azhar Siddique: Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Chairman of the Judicial Activism Panel. Anchor and Expert, Article Writer and Social Activist. Human Rights Campaigner, Pro Bono Publico Lawyer.
Prof. Saleh Dauda: Professor of International Relations at the University of Abuja, Nigeria. He became a professor of International Relations in 2008. He has published widely in both local and International Journals. He has written ten books in International Relations and related areas. His research interest is in Africa's International Relations, Third World in Global politics, Regionalism in Africa and Foreign Policy Formulation and Analysis.
Emmanuel C. Njoku: Ambassador of ECOWAS. Chairman, Emma Njoku Foundation which is an NGO focussing on Health and Education. Managing Director of Prezzo Shed Investments. He is trained as a lawyer and has been involved in renewable energy, Human Resources management, Real Estate and Law while sitting on the Boards of many companies in Nigeria and overseas.
The war is having a wide impact and effect on many countries that rely on Ukraine for food supplies as well as trade in the wider world - much of this is not fully appreciated. Our aim is to facilitate respectful dialogue and promote mutual understanding, fulfilling one of the key roles of the Universal Peace Federation.
Universal Peace Federation - UK’s Peacebuilding Mission
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has exposed deep vulnerabilities for countries dependent on Ukrainian agricultural exports and global trade systems. UPF-UK organised this forum to highlight these overlooked realities, promote balanced analysis, and encourage dialogue grounded in fairness and understanding.
As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape international relations, UPF-UK remains committed to fostering platforms where diverse perspectives—especially those from the Global South—can contribute to constructive global dialogue and peace.
Related Content - Read More:
UN Day for South-South Cooperation 2025
Global South Perspectives on the Ukraine-Russia War and Consequent Geopolitical Tensions
Global South Perspectives on the Russia - Ukraine War: Oct 31st
Global South Perspectives - Keith Best speech Chair of UPF - UK
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