By María Josefina Arce

Science, technology and innovation should be driving forces for sustainable development and to advance the welfare of peoples, however, as Cuba reiterated in the South African city of Johannesburg, the nations of the South have limited access to these tools, which are monopolized by the industrialized North.
   
In his speech on the last day of the BRICS Summit, formed by Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa, Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel denounced that scientific and technical development is in the hands of a group of countries that monopolize most of the patents, technologies, research centers and promote the drain of talents from our States.
    
The COVID 19 pandemic once again demonstrated this reality. Developed countries monopolized the vaccines against the disease caused by the new coronavirus, to the detriment of the poorest peoples.
   
A study published last year by the journal Nature claims that more than one million lives could have been saved by 2021 if the vaccines had been shared equitably with low-income nations.
   
As president pro tempore of the Group of 77+China, Cuba has therefore called for a summit of heads of state and government on the subject in Havana next September to join efforts.
  
The fact is that the South has great potential for science, technology and innovation. That is the case of Cuba, which today exhibits remarkable advances in biotechnology with products that not only benefit Cubans, but also citizens from all over the world.
   
Moreover, Cuba and China, members of the mechanism, are an example of how much can be done thanks to cooperation in science and technology. The close ties between the two nations have made possible dozens of research projects and joint investments over the past twenty years.
   
It has allowed the reciprocal transfer of advanced technologies and the production and commercialization of products and equipment.
   
Also the implementation of more ambitious projects such as an innovation center in the field of neuroinformatics and precision medicine.
  
The alliance between Havana and Beijing in this field demonstrates the feasibility of complementary and mutually beneficial cooperation.
  
Hence, Cuba insists on the need and urgency for the South to unite, complement and integrate its capabilities in order to face current and future challenges.
  
The Havana Summit will undoubtedly be an opportunity to outline strategies and work on this path that will materialize in favor of the global South.