At the same time, we agree to continue working on the development of science and technology in developing countries by strengthening South-South cooperation, according to the Final Declaration of the G77 Summit which opened on Friday at the Havana International Conference Center. The Summit was attended by dozens of heads of state and government, as well as other high-level representatives of more than 100 member states.
“We reiterate the crucial role of Official Development Assistance in supporting the development needs of the countries of the Global South and harp on the pressing need for developed countries to fulfill their historic commitment in this regard.”
The 47-point text calls South-South cooperation necessary to optimize our potential and complement our resources and expertise, while offering viable ways to address the common challenges of developing countries and, among others, accelerate progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The G77+China also calls on the international community and the United Nations to take urgent action to promote unimpeded, timely and equitable access for developing nations to the health-related measures, products and technologies needed to address current and future pandemic preparedness and prevention responses. This includes financing, strengthening health systems, capacity building, ensuring the sustainability of supply chains, transfer of technology and know-how for the local and regional manufacture and production of drugs, vaccines, therapies, diagnostics, technologies and other health products in developing countries.
In the Final Declaration, the G77+China praises the significance of research, development and technology transfer in the field of human health, taking into account the surge in emerging and re-emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases, including their risk factors.
It also recognizes the role of science, technology and innovation in identifying and addressing the challenges posed by climate change, the effects of which disproportionately impact on developing countries.
Plus, it reiterates the need for an effective response to the urgent threat of climate change, especially through increased financing, technology transfer and capacity building based on the priorities of developing countries.
The text recognizes that information and communication technologies are a key catalyst and enabler of sustainable development, and reaffirms the vision of building an inclusive, people-centered and development-oriented information society.
It also requests the international community and relevant bodies of the United Nations system to take urgent action to reduce digital divides and inequalities in data generation, infrastructure and accessibility within and between countries and regions, as well as between developed and developing countries, with special attention to the poorest and most vulnerable.
The member states urge the establishment of necessary conditions to provide developing countries with affordable and reliable connectivity, aimed at fostering digital access and inclusion, as well as ensuring ethical, reliable and more equitable development, access and use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The G77 is deeply concerned about the existing disparities between developed and developing countries in terms of conditions, possibilities and capacities to produce new scientific and technological knowledge.
In this regard, it calls on the international community, the United Nations System and the International Financial Institutions to support the efforts of the countries of the South to develop and strengthen their national science, technology and innovation systems.
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