Image: Havana Channel.

Havana, Mar 7 (RHC) On behalf of the Group of 77 plus China (G77 + China), as president pro tempore, Cuba advocated strengthening cooperation among the countries of the South, taking advantage of their great potential in science, technology, and innovation.

Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting on South-South Cooperation of the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, at the head of the delegation, stressed the importance of aligning the capacities of these nations.

As reported on Twitter by the official account for the pro tempore presidency of the G77 + China, the Cuban representative stressed that this cooperation is necessary to avoid being left behind in a scenario similar to the one faced by the countries of the South during COVID-19.

In his speech, he referred to the multiple crises faced by developing countries due to the negative socioeconomic impact of pandemics, climate change, growing over-indebtedness, food insecurity, and the technological gap.

Malmierca stressed that South-South cooperation based on solidarity does not release developed countries from their commitment to assist, especially LDCs, about the historical commitment of those nations to contribute to Official Development Assistance (ODA).

This Monday, Malmierca participated in the General Debate of the Conference, in which he indicated that international assistance to the poorest nations should prioritize elements such as access to effective and affordable anti-COVID-19 vaccines, addressing the debt burden, and increasing technology transfer.

The 5th UN Conference on LDCs is taking place in Doha, Qatar, from March 5 to 9, to build a new program of action for the poorest nations. (Source: ACN).