define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS',true); The failed rhetoric of developed versus developing countries

The failed rhetoric of developed versus developing countries

Part of the rhetoric of those that opposed the resolution was that it was largely an issue which concerned the developed world. On this point it would be useful to analyse the voting record.

It is worthwhile noting that the strongest support for the resolution was from the Latin American region, with all eight countries voting for the resolution. There was also complete support from Western Europe with all seven voting for the resolution. In Eastern Europe as well, apart from Russia, all five other members voted for the resolution. When it came to Asia-Pacific, while eight countries voted against the resolution, Mongolia, South Korea and Vietnam voted for the resolution. Significantly, Philippines and India abstained. When it came to Africa, 9 members voted against the resolution, while Botswana, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa choose to abstain. The key region in the global south, Latin America is almost uniformly supportive, while in Asia there is an emerging base of strong support led by East and South East Asia. Even within Africa, there was no bloc voting with four key abstentions on the resolution. It is also worth noting that the key bloc, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) was also not fully unified on opposing the resolution. Albania broke with the OIC consensus and voted in favour of the resolution. The success of the vote indicates that the myth of the global south opposition to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity needs to be laid to rest.