Global South: Why Policy Makers Rely on Prayer

The assertion that prayer has become the primary coordinating mechanism for policymakers in the Global South was made public this week, as discussions surrounding the escalating geopolitical tensions in Iran and the looming COP30 climate conference gain prominence.

Aman Sethi, writing for openDemocracy, first articulated the observation, stating, “The only coordinated mechanism that most policy makers across the global South are indulging in right now is prayer.” The comment, initially shared in a video posted to Facebook by openDemocracy on March 17, 2026, has since circulated widely, prompting questions about the capacity of nations in the Global South to proactively address pressing global challenges.

The statement arrives as the international community grapples with the potential fallout of conflict involving Iran, a topic recently discussed in a YouTube short. Simultaneously, preparations are underway for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. The Laudato Si’ Movement is actively mobilizing faith-based organizations and individuals to advocate for climate action leading up to and during the conference, including a call to “Pray for policy makers.”

COP30 is particularly significant as it marks ten years since the Paris Agreement and the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. Pope Leo XIV, speaking at the “Raising Hope” Conference, urged moral courage, stating, “There is indeed an action hero with us — it is all of you, who are working together to make a difference.” Despite this call to action, government pledges remain insufficient to meet the scientific and ethical demands of the climate crisis.

The confluence of these events – potential conflict in the Middle East and the critical COP30 negotiations – underscores the limitations faced by many nations in the Global South. While the Laudato Si’ Movement encourages prayer as a means of influencing policy, the initial observation suggests a broader lack of coordinated strategy among policymakers in these regions.

As of today, no official statement has been released by any intergovernmental organization addressing Sethi’s claim. Preparations for COP30 continue, with the conference scheduled to begin in Belém in November 2025.