Statement by H.E. Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, Ambassador and Special Representative for the Chairmanship of the G77 and China at the Meeting of Senior Officials of the Third South Summit
January 18th, 2024.
Excellencies,
Dear colleagues,
It has been an honor for Cuba to assume for the first time the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China. This has also meant assuming a great responsibility and challenge with all the humility, seriousness and commitment it required. We would not have been able to carry out this endeavor without the active support and contribution of all members of the Group. In this regard, I reiterate our deep appreciation for the support and confidence placed in Cuba.
In January 2023, we assumed the Chairmanship in an international context still affected by the negative socioeconomic impact of Covid-19 and the combined effect of multiple crises of different natures, resulting from the unjust international economic order that continues to perpetuate hunger, poverty and underdevelopment, especially in developing countries.
The untenable external debt situation for a growing number of our countries, connected with the persistence of an unjust and obsolete international financial architecture, the increased food insecurity and the reversal of the won achievements in the fight against poverty, the effects of climate change and the increasing trend towards the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against developing countries, are some of the factors that hinder the progress of our nations.
In parallel to this adverse international situation, the Group of 77 and China played a relevant role in the many important multilateral meetings and processes that took place during the year 2023, both at the New York headquarters and elsewhere, reaffirming itself not only as the largest United Nations negotiating group, but also as a key player in the necessary transformation of the current international economic order.
The G77 and China Summit held in Havana on the role of science, technology and innovation, and the first Leaders' Summit of the Group held on the margins of the high-level segment for the COP 28 UN Climate Change Conference, also demonstrated our group's ability to coalesce around issues of vital importance to our countries.
Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends, these are complex and, in some areas, uncertain times. Our diversity is not a weakness, quite the contrary. It is a source of inspiration and potential for our common action. Only the unity of purpose and the ability to develop and maintain strategies to address the mutual problems that affect us, will allow the G77 and China to continue being the relevant force it is today. That was the fundamental goal of Cuba's Chairmanship and we can state with satisfaction that, with your support, our group today has updated positions on the most pressing international problems that affect us.
In this context, the document before us, to be considered and adopted as the final document of the Third South Summit, reflects the Group's positions on relevant issues such as trade, reform of the international financial architecture, South-South cooperation, science, technology and innovation, climate change, among others. It is the result of many hours of expert-level discussion and it represents an important working platform for the immediate and medium-term future. We wish to thank all delegations for their constructive spirit, flexibility and solidarity throughout the consultation process, aimed at achieving a document that reflects the common interests of the G77 and China.
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Group for their support to our delegation during this period. Without your encouragement and permanent accompaniment, the road would have been more difficult.
We reiterate to the Republic of Uganda our support and wish them success during their 2024 Chairmanship. Cuba will continue to play an active and constructive role as a member of the Group of 77 and China.
We invite the members of the Group to support and adopt the draft outcome document.
Thank you