"Representatives from CELAC and 19 African nations gathered in Bogota on Saturday to revive South-South co-operation as geopolitical tensions grow. Officials said the current international order was splintering in a way that has long worked against the Global South, strengthening the case for closer alliances and fairer co-operation. "In Africa, and as in Latin America, we saw in the now frayed and splintering international order a system that benefited some very much more than others. We're not strangers to calls for reforms in a system that fueled tensions, division and inequality. But equally, we are aware that change is not always for good," said Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. Senegal's Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang said today's conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa were adding to global instability, disrupting trade and increasing the risk of an arms race as multilateralism weakens. "With repercussions on regional balances and global trade, and inevitably leading to an arms race against a backdrop of weakening multilateralism. In this context, it is more necessary than ever to act together to promote peace through negotiation in the resolution of conflicts," said Cheikh Niang. Mozambique's Roberto Mito Albina urged Africa and CELAC to act as a united front in pressing for reform of global financial institutions, with greater representation for developing countries and fairer trade rules. "Mozambique reiterates the need to strengthen inclusive multilateralism between Africa and CELAC. They must act as a single front in defence of the reform of international financial institutions, with greater representation of developing countries and more equitable trade rules," said Roberto Mito Albina. The forum also focused on areas for closer co-operation between Africa and Latin America, including food security, energy, natural resources and the digital economy, as both regions look to reduce reliance on traditional markets and build stronger supply chains of their own."