Cuban Ambassador to Algeria: “G77+China Summit Aims to Foster Unity, Enhance Voice of Global South Amidst Global Complexity and Challenges”

BY: Hana Saada

ALGIERS – As the G77+ China Summit is slated to kick off today, the Cuban Ambassador to Algeria, Mr. Armando Vergara Bueno, has conveyed the critical importance of unity in the face of pressing global issues. The summit, taking place in Havana, Cuba, signifies a significant moment for the Group of 77 and China as it marks the first time that Cuba, specifically, the Greater Antilles, has assumed the pro tempore presidency of this influential bloc of developing nations.

With over a hundred official delegations in attendance, including numerous heads of state and government, international organization leaders, and even UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the event is expected to draw substantial global attention. Algeria, in particular, will be prominently represented by a delegation led by Mr. Kamel Beddari, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who will speak on behalf of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

In this vein, His Excellency the Ambassador said that the summit’ significance is further underscored by the participation of more than 90 Member States on the list of speakers, reflecting the widespread interest in addressing contemporary development challenges. Central to these discussions is the pivotal role of science, technology, and innovation—a topic of paramount importance for the 134 members of the G77 and China. Additionally, the summit will address pressing political and economic issues, all set against the backdrop of a global systemic crisis.

He added that the warm and hospitable Cuban people are prepared to welcome visitors, and their in-depth knowledge of international affairs ensures that they will follow the summit closely through various media channels and social networks. Despite the austere nature of the summit, it will be imbued with the rich and diverse Cuban culture, with active participation from the local populace.

One of the key outcomes expected from the summit, themed “current development challenges: the role of science, technology and innovation,” is, according to the Cuban envoy, the adoption of a declaration by the G77 and China, articulating the demands of the Global South. This declaration will champion the right to development within an international order characterized by increasing exclusivity, inequity, injustice, and exploitation. Furthermore, it will call for the establishment of a new global economic order and advocate for a profound reform of the global financial system. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has described this declaration as a “progressive text, of universal scope, with a positive and constructive tone.”

“The eagerly awaited final declaration of the summit will emphasize the need to bolster South-South cooperation in these crucial areas. It will also call for a high-level meeting within the United Nations to deliberate on these matters and propose the declaration of an international day dedicated to science, technology, and innovation in the Global South,” noted the Ambassador.

And to add: “A substantial contingent of 500 national and foreign journalists has been accredited to provide comprehensive coverage of the event, underscoring its global significance.”

“Throughout its presidency, Cuba has consistently championed the concept of unity within the Group of 77 and China. This unity has been fostered through constructive collaboration, consensus-building, and the promotion of complementarity among member states. In the face of contemporary challenges, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has emphasized the urgency of finding solutions for the pressing issues facing their nations,” underscored the Ambassador.

He concluded by saying: “In the Group of 77 and China, diversity is not viewed as a weakness but rather as a strength. This underlying premise will undoubtedly be upheld during the summit in the Cuban capital as nations unite to tackle the complex challenges of our time.”

Key information about the Group of 77 and China, established in 1964 

– The Group of 77 and China is the largest bloc of developing nations within the United Nations System. It is a highly diverse consultative body in the realm of international diplomacy, comprising 134 member states. This coalition represents a significant portion of the United Nations’ membership, constituting two-thirds of the total membership and encompassing approximately 80% of the global population.

– Originating on June 15, 1964, following the signing of the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Developing Countries” at the conclusion of the inaugural session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, the Group’s primary objective is to promote the economic interests of its founding members and enhance their collective negotiating power within the United Nations.

– The Group of 77 and China currently consists of 134 member states, a number that includes South Sudan, which joined in March 2015. Despite its evolution and expansion, the Group retains its original name for historical reasons. China, while an official member since 1992, primarily engages in collaborative efforts from an external standpoint.

– Cuba became a member of the Group in 1971 and assumed the pro tempore presidency for the first time in January 2023.

– Since the inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 in Algeria, held from October 10 to 25, 1967, during which the Algiers Charter was adopted, the coalition has developed a permanent institutional framework. This framework led to the establishment of Group of 77 Chapters with liaison offices in various international cities, including Geneva (UNCTAD), Nairobi (UNEP), Paris (UNESCO), Rome (FAO/IFAD), Vienna (UNIDO), and the Group of 24 (G-24) in Washington, D.C. (IMF and World Bank).

– The highest political authority within the organizational structure of the Group of 77 and China is the Presidency, which rotates among regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean). Each Chapter holds the presidency for one year, and the president serves as the spokesperson, coordinating the Group’s activities within their respective Chapter.

– The Southern Summit, as outlined in the functional statutes of the mechanism, serves as the highest authority responsible for making decisions within the Group of 77 and China. The inaugural Summit of this group took place in Havana from April 10 to 14, 2000.