image source, Good pictures
Nicolás Maduro and Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Havana Convention Center on September 15, 2023.
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“The world is failing the developing world.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the announcement in the framework of the two-day summit of the G77+China Group of Heads of State and Government, which concluded this Saturday in Havana, Cuba.
Likewise, Guterres called on developing countries to “raise their voices to fight for a world that works for all”, adding that new rules for new technologies “cannot be written only by the rich and privileged”.
The G77 was founded in 1964 by 77 countries to promote collective economic interests in the so-called Global South.
The group exists today 134 membersIncluding China, Beijing promises not to be a full member.
The summit, held between September 15 and 16, was attended by Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela, Gustavo Pedro from Colombia and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from Brazil, as well as other leaders from Latin America and the world.
In this article we give you a summary of his most notable statements.
1. Díaz-Canel and his “democratization” call
In addition to Guterres’ speech, another leader who made headlines was Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who denounced injustices in international organizations.
The Cuban leader also recalled earlier calls by Latin American leaders to “democratize the UN”, such as Fidel Castro’s warnings that “tomorrow will be too late” and General Hugo Chávez’s memorable phrase when he said ‘we are presidents’. Summit and People from Abyss to Abyss.”
image source, Good pictures
After affirming that the countries of the Global South are the “main victims” of the economic and trade crises and the effects of climate change, the Cuban president called for the reform of multilateral institutions.
“We are now demanding the pending democratization of international relations,” he continued.
“It is necessary to reverse this situation, which has engulfed us for centuries of colonialism and neo-colonialism, because it is unjust and the South can no longer bear the dead weight of all misfortunes.”
2. Petro’s Global “Marshall Plan”
Colombian President Gustavo Pedro focused his speech on the climate crisis affecting the world and reiterated the need to implement a global “Marshall Plan” to save it.
image source, Good pictures
President of Colombia, Gustavo Pedro, with Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The president also backed his proposal for a “global negotiation to replace the new global financial system.”
He asserted that there are two alternatives to reducing debt and financing a decarbonized economy: capital and debt and that the US and Europe are only proposing that developing countries take on more debt.
“Many members of the G77 passively accept this path,” he lamented.
On the other hand, Pedro warned that if humanity does not act, it faces a “very violent world” and an exodus that could reach 3,000 million people.
“If the flow of 10, 80 million migrants is already (violent), what will it be like when there are 3,000 million people? What will the world look like when the lands of our big cities are uninhabitable? What? What will the politics look like? What will the society look like? There will be democracy or barbarism?
3. Maduro: The 21st century belongs to the people of the South
After his official visit to China, he shouted to a Hong Kong journalist to speak Mandarin, not English, because we are in a “new world”, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro promised, “that” the 21st century. People of the South”.
image source, Good pictures
Gustavo Pedro and Nicolás Maduro.
From the Havana Convention Center, Maduro stressed that countries in the south must develop their “own paths and political models and not accept the dictates of any power with colonial or hegemonic claims.”
“The 21st century must be the century of our highest level of practical cooperation in education, science and technology,” he continued.
He also praised the inclusiveness of the G77+China.
“This is our home, this is our family, we are all equal, a place where no one tries to impose themselves, dominate, encourage, humiliate, exclude anyone.”
The Venezuelan president urged the G77+China to “raise their voices more strongly”: “Enough is the persecution against the people of the world who want to build their own models.”
4. Lula: Latin America “must seek a common ground”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted the need for the South to develop a common position to address the concerns of developing countries.
He noted that “two big changes” are underway that cannot be shaped by “a few rich economies”.
“The first is the digital revolution and the second is the energy transition. Our countries must have the necessary conditions to respond to these changes,” he said.
The Brazilian president added that Latin America “must seek a common position to face the challenges of the current international environment.”
Likewise, he celebrated the “diversity” of the G77 and highlighted the importance of “creating a new international economic order”.
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