Salvador Valdes Mesa, the outgoing Chairman of the G77+China summit and Vice President of Cuba, has called for a special ministerial meeting to address crucial issues related to Science, Technology, and Innovations (STI). The focus is on identifying key STI concerns among member countries, with proposals to be presented at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
The call for action includes the backing of proposals with outcomes from the World Science Forum on STI. This move aims not only to highlight successes in the field but also to spotlight research opportunities that could attract partnerships, ultimately reducing the dependency of developing countries on their developed counterparts.
Valdes Mesa made these remarks on Sunday during the opening of the South to South G77+China summit at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The summit, running under the theme “leaving no one behind,” marks a significant gathering, with over 134 member countries in attendance. This summit, a rare occurrence since 2005, serves as a platform for collaborative discussions.
Table 1: Snapshot of G77+China Summit
| Key Figures | Details |
|---|---|
| Member Countries | 134 |
| Formation Year | 1964 |
| Global Population Share | 80% |
| Global GDP Share | 40% |
Established in 1964 at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the G77+China summit originated during a time when Southern countries faced challenges such as financial constraints, insecurity, and limited trade transactions. The objective was to foster collaboration among Southern nations for economic development.
As of now, G77+China member countries collectively represent 80% of the global population and contribute 40% to the global GDP.
Key topics on the summit agenda encompass climate change, trade, debt, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the diverse range of challenges faced by member nations.
In the same meeting, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda assumed the leadership role, taking over as the chair of the summit for the next year.
