South-South trade emerges as key pillar of new global trade system
Dubai: South-South trade worth nearly $7 trillion a year is placing the world’s fastest-growing economies at the heart of the emerging global trading system, AIM Congress 2026 heard. Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Philanthropy, said the disruptions to global shipping this year had demonstrated the importance of building alternative trade routes,…
Dubai: The South-South trade, valued at approximately $7 trillion annually, is positioning the world's fastest-growing economies as pivotal components of the evolving global trading system, as announced at AIM Congress 2026. Badr Jafar, the UAE's Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, emphasized the significance of developing alternative trade routes, alliances, and supply chains before they become necessary.
During the Global Markets Pillar at the 15th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) held at Dubai World Trade Centre, Jafar underscored the UAE's resilience during this year's shipping disruptions, attributing it to years of investment and collaboration. He pointed out that the UAE's alternative trade routes, partnerships, and trust were not improvised but had been established over time.
Jafar urged governments and businesses to collaborate in creating a more resilient global trade network, highlighting that while technology plays a crucial role, trust remains essential as supply chains become increasingly digitized and rely on artificial intelligence. He also criticized the notion that "the winner takes all," arguing that philanthropic capital, which is patient, catalytic, and asks a different question—"what is missing?"—should play a vital role in building and strengthening global trade infrastructure.
Jafar stressed that the UAE's strategy to maintain an open and diversified economy, including non-oil foreign trade, was long established and not merely a lucky incident. The keynote session formed part of the Global Markets Pillar's leaders' discussion on trade competitiveness, featuring government and private-sector leaders from Cambodia, South Africa, and Uganda.
AIM Congress 2026, themed "Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future," is being held from September 7 to 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre, organized by the AIM Global Foundation in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade.
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