Global South Leaders Honoured at GSUA 25 Summit & Awards at the UK House of Lords

Global South Leaders Honoured at GSUA 25 Summit & Awards at the UK House of Lords

Diplomat Today0

The historic House of Lords served as the distinguished venue for the 25th Global South Universities Association (GSUA) Summit & Awards, where influential leaders from across the Global South were honoured for their exceptional contributions to diplomacy, education, innovation, and sustainable development.

Reported in Diplomat Today Magazine, the event spotlighted the Global South Leadership (GSL) Awards, which recognised individuals who have advanced the cause of South–South cooperation and global development through visionary leadership.

The summit was held under the guidance of Abdul Dewale Mohammed, Founder and Group Executive President of both the Africa Asia Scholars Global Network (AASGON) and the Global South Economic Forum (GSEF). Attendees included ambassadors, government representatives, senior academics, and international policy experts, reinforcing the growing influence of GSUA on the global stage.

Celebrating Global Trailblazers

At the forefront was H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia, who was recognised for her unwavering dedication to multilateral diplomacy and climate leadership. Represented by Ambassador Linda Scott, the award also marked a historic moment celebrating Namibia’s first female president.

H.E. Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, was also honoured for her leadership in youth empowerment and regional cooperation. Represented by Mr. Ram Sushil, she praised the partnership between the Commonwealth Secretariat and AASGON and applauded GSUA’s role in shaping the future of the Global South.

Ambassador Ivan Romero-Martinez, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Honduras to the UK, was recognised for his dedication to diplomacy and his support for the upcoming Global South Diaspora Summit, Awards and Exhibition (GSD-SAE) to be held in London.

Honouring Contributions in Education, Engineering, and Social Impact

Among academic and institutional changemakers:

  • Prof. Colin J. Coulson-Thomas, President of the UK’s Institute of Management Services, was honoured for his global leadership in management education.
  • Prof. Roberto Escalante Semerena, Secretary-General of UDUALC, received recognition for championing higher education reform in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Notable engineering leaders included:

  • Engr. Ahmad Jassim Al-Jolo, Interim President of the Global South Engineers Association (GSEA), lauded for advancing technical education in the Gulf.
  • Engr. Mrs. Margaret Aina Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, celebrated for her leadership in promoting gender equality in STEM.

Social impact leaders were also recognised:

  • Duchess Williams-Alonga, President of the Commonwealth Countries League, for championing girls’ education.
  • Ambassador Rubi Williams, President of Rubi Foundation International, for transformative work in healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship across 22 countries.
  • Dr. Debbie Bartlett, Director General of GSUA and founder of the CEO Network in The Bahamas, for her leadership in media-driven economic empowerment in the Caribbean.

A Summit of Unity and Vision

With nearly 30 diplomats in attendance, the GSUA 25 Awards Gala embodied the spirit of global solidarity and shared progress. In her keynote address, Ambassador Linda Scott, speaking on behalf of President Nandi-Ndaitwah, praised Abdul Dewale Mohammed for creating platforms that advance South–South cooperation and youth-led leadership.

As featured in Diplomat Today Magazine, the summit not only celebrated visionary achievements but also laid a strong foundation for future collaboration among leaders committed to inclusive development, global equity, and sustainable partnerships.

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