Under the theme “The current challenges of development, the role of science, technology and innovation“, the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77 and China will be held in Havana, Cuba, on September 15 and 16. Several tens’ countries have confirmed their participation, including Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Formed in 1964, the Group of 77 and China is the main negotiating bloc for developing countries within the United Nations system, with 134 member states. In the case of China, although it is considered an official member, it participates and collaborates externally.
After more than half a century of existence, this organization has managed to remain united with multilateralism as the guiding principle of cooperation strategies. Within it, Cuba has played an active role since its incorporation in 1971. Among its main contributions is the promotion of South-South cooperation as a path to equitable development for countries.
Due to its heterogeneous and diverse composition, which concentrates 80% of the world’s population, the President of the G77 plays a key role in maintaining the capacity, strategy, unity and leadership of the Group in the face of all processes.
In January of this year, Cuba assumed the presidency of the G77 + China, which was the first time that the Caribbean island led this bloc and presupposed the challenge of promoting international solidarity and turning South-South Cooperation into a more effective tool.
Cuba defends a multilateral trading system based on transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive rules, and among other objectives, promotes universal access to quality education and health.
During 2023, Havana has hosted notable events related to the G-77 + China, including the meetings of the Group’s Ministers of Education, Science and Environment, Culture and Tourism.
At the end of this week, on the 15th and 16th, representatives from all regions of the world will meet in the Cuban capital, in response to the call made by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who has emphasized the importance of the event as a way to strengthen the unity of our countries and decide collective and practical actions in the effective confrontation of contemporary challenges.
With the warm welcome they deserve, and we are excited to lavish on them, he said, we will be receiving in Havana all the leaders of the Group of 77 and China. “Every minute counts in the search for solutions to the pressing problems of our peoples.”