This book examines the transformative agency of the Global South in shaping and reconfiguring the contemporary international order. Moving beyond conventional narratives that portray Global South actors primarily as subjects of resistance or marginalization, it explores how states, regional groupings, and transnational coalitions are actively contributing to the reconstruction of global governance frameworks. The book critically investigates their role in redefining international norms, institutions, and power relations within an increasingly multipolar world.

A key contribution of the volume lies in its strong empirical foundation and its challenge to dominant perspectives in International Relations, while also advancing a refined conceptualization of the Global South. It demonstrates how Global South actors have frequently been overlooked, marginalized, or inadequately represented in both scholarly debates and policy-making processes. Drawing on empirical case studies, institutional analysis, and comparative evidence, the book provides a nuanced and contextually grounded assessment of how these actors respond to - and increasingly influence - the dynamics of a changing global order. In doing so, it offers fresh insights into their strategic agency, normative contributions, and institutional innovations, highlighting their growing capacity not merely to adapt to global transformations but also to shape their direction and outcomes.

Francisco B. S. José Leandro received his Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the Catholic University of Portugal in 2010. Currently, he is an Associate Professor with Habilitation in International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, and Deputy Director of the Institute for Global and Public Affairs.

Diego Pautasso holds a Ph.D. (2010) and an M.A. (2006) in Political Science, as well as a B.A. (2003) in Geography, all from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. He currently serves as a faculty member at the Porto Alegre Military School (Porto Alegre, Brazil) and is co-founder of the scientific outreach initiative @fiosdechina on Instagram.