The new world geopolitcs is called ASPA

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Their trade relationships stand to approximately 30 billion a year with huge room for improvement.  In an era dominated by the “usual” super powers like China, India, EU, USA and China, not much attention is given to a different kind of geopolitics performed by the “others”.

If we want a more balanced world with less hegemonic nations dominating over the others and commending the attention of the cable news services, then we need more events like what is unfolding today in Riyadh: the ASPA, known in this form from the Spanish and Portuguese acronym, is the gathering between South American countries and Arab countries.

Among the regional groups or global alliances, the ASPA is really a lightweight forum. Its highest decision making institution, the Summit of Heads of State and Government happens only every three years with the last gathering happening in Lima, the capital of Peru back in 2012. There is also great scope for more interactions as for example the ministries of foreign affairs only meet every two years while lower levels interaction happen more often though certainly without any clamor or highlights.

Yet the group is structured enough to have a clear document called the Doha Declaration that sets out the governance of this bilateral group that officially brings together the member of the Union of South American and the members of the Arab Leagues.

The forum is the brainchild of former president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that launched the first summit in Brasilia back in 2005. The gathering today in Saudi Arabia is only the fourth time in the history of ASPA. All big shots will attend with few exceptions will attend the summit.

Just think about the significance of such meetings. If it true that at substantial level, we cannot expect much from ASPA, despite renewed pledges to strengthening it to be endorsed in Riyadh, the importance, at symbolic level, is quite relevant.

We often relate and refer to South America as a region with vast potential with nations rich of natural resources, stunning beauties, including the biggest rain forest and amazing beaches, old civilization and   an economy that till recently was booming. Last but not the least the entire entire region shares an insane love for football.

We often relate to the Arab world, unfortunately more for negative reasons rather than for its old traditions and ancient civilization. Of course we know the gulf countries because of the oil, the huge desert and the exploitation of migrant laborers.

 What do these regions or blocs have in common? I do not really know, probably the only thing that they really share is the love for football as Arabs countries are also very enthusiastic about the game and they are increasingly getting better at it.

Anything else in common ?

Probably both regions share a common desire to diversify their strategic options, try new venues to disentangle their diplomacies from the usual “foster parents”.

Again the symbolism of such gathering is huge. No one thinks of South America and Arab nations together. It does not come easy to think about their leaders sitting together to discuss world issues.

With more gatherings, their decision making will be more and more relevant. For the time being, it is already good they sit in front of each other with a cup of Arabic coffee.

They should meet more often and if they will do, they will teach a lesson to our SAARC leaders in terms of consistency and long term vision.

After all not the bigger rain forest, not even the Atlantic Ocean nor the gulf’s desert can stop the ASPA Leaders from coming together.

Their trade relationships stand to approximately 30 billion a year with huge room for improvement.  In an era dominated by the “usual” super powers like China, India, EU, USA and China, not much attention is given to a different kind of geopolitics performed by the “others”.

If we want a more balanced world with less hegemonic nations dominating over the others and commending the attention of the cable news services, then we need more events like what is unfolding today in Riyadh: the ASPA, known in this form from the Spanish and Portuguese acronym, is the gathering between South American countries and Arab countries.

Among the regional groups or global alliances, the ASPA is really a lightweight forum. Its highest decision making institution, the Summit of Heads of State and Government happens only every three years with the last gathering happening in Lima, the capital of Peru back in 2012. There is also great scope for more interactions as for example the ministries of foreign affairs only meet every two years while lower levels interaction happen more often though certainly without any clamor or highlights.

Yet the group is structured enough to have a clear document called the Doha Declaration that sets out the governance of this bilateral group that officially brings together the member of the Union of South American and the members of the Arab Leagues.

The forum is the brainchild of former president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that launched the first summit in Brasilia back in 2005. The gathering today in Saudi Arabia is only the fourth time in the history of ASPA. All big shots will attend with few exceptions will attend the summit.

Just think about the significance of such meetings. If it true that at substantial level, we cannot expect much from ASPA, despite renewed pledges to strengthening it to be endorsed in Riyadh, the importance, at symbolic level, is quite relevant.

We often relate and refer to South America as a region with vast potential with nations rich of natural resources, stunning beauties, including the biggest rain forest and amazing beaches, old civilization and   an economy that till recently was booming. Last but not the least the entire entire region shares an insane love for football.

We often relate to the Arab world, unfortunately more for negative reasons rather than for its old traditions and ancient civilization. Of course we know the gulf countries because of the oil, the huge desert and the exploitation of migrant laborers.

 What do these regions or blocs have in common? I do not really know, probably the only thing that they really share is the love for football as Arabs countries are also very enthusiastic about the game and they are increasingly getting better at it.

Anything else in common ?

Probably both regions share a common desire to diversify their strategic options, try new venues to disentangle their diplomacies from the usual “foster parents”.

Again the symbolism of such gathering is huge. No one thinks of South America and Arab nations together. It does not come easy to think about their leaders sitting together to discuss world issues.

With more gatherings, their decision making will be more and more relevant. For the time being, it is already good they sit in front of each other with a cup of Arabic coffee.

They should meet more often and if they will do, they will teach a lesson to our SAARC leaders in terms of consistency and long term vision.

After all not the bigger rain forest, not even the Atlantic Ocean nor the gulf’s desert can stop the ASPA Leaders from coming together.

Position: Co -Founder of ENGAGE,a new social venture for the promotion of volunteerism and service and Ideator of Sharing4Good

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