The Group of 77 + China, made up of 134 countries, is the largest and most diverse consultation group in the multilateral sphere. Cuba assumed its pro tempore Presidency in January 2023, assuming the commitment to consolidate the unity, presence and influence of the Group in the multiple and relevant multilateral processes to be held in 2023.
In consequence of this aspiration, our country convened and held meetings of Ministers of the G77+China, in the spheres of Education, Culture, Tourism and Environment, during international Conferences on each of these topics, held throughout the year. The meetings allowed us to discuss aspects of common interest, identify shared challenges and propose actions to face them, emphasizing the importance of coordinated action and cooperation between the members of the Group.
Likewise, during its mandate, Cuba has promoted cooperation projects between member countries in the areas of medicine, education, biotechnology, and climate change.
One of the most important actions of the pro tempore Presidency of Cuba will be the Summit of Heads of State and Government, convened by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on September 15 and 16, 2023, in Havana. Under the theme “Current development challenges: Role of Science, Technology and Innovation”, the leaders of each of the member states will have a space to decide on collective and practical actions in effectively confronting contemporary challenges, since as our President expressed: “Every minute counts in the search for solutions to the pressing problems of our people.”
Likewise, the meeting in Havana is of special importance as part of the efforts to advance towards a united approach of the countries of the South in correspondence with the great challenges that our nations face in the international sphere, particularly in matters of Science, Technology and Innovation. The Summit agenda will allow the heads of State and/or Government to express their vision in relation to current problems linked to the use of knowledge and the development of science, technology and innovation to respond to the development´s challenges.
The Summit will adopt a political declaration that recognizes the importance of these issues in today's world, calls for closing scientific and technological gaps between developed and developing countries and promotes international cooperation in these matters, both North-South and South-South, in order to take advantage of the exchange of experiences, capacity building and technology transfer with the purpose of benefiting developing nations.
We will have more than 100 high-level delegations attending the Summit, including representatives of the United Nations System, among them the Secretary General of the Organization and 10 other representatives. We are also honored to receive a delegation from the UAE, led by the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E. Mariam Almheiri.