Arnous began his words by thanking Cuba, current president of the Group, for calling this meeting, which constitutes an expression of the spirit of deep solidarity and sincere partnership between the nations that make up this bloc.
It is an affirmation of the determination to strengthen efforts to defend our common interests and address the challenges generated by climate change, global warming and natural disasters, said the head of the Executive.
He noted that a large number of Southern countries still face major challenges on climate change issues, such as implementing renewable energy projects and achieving food security, which hinders their ability to achieve sustainable development goals.
Arnous clarified that the Middle East has witnessed a significant decline in rainfall for decades, which has reduced agricultural production and led to a significant decline in the proportion of water per capita.
On the other hand, he denounced that the terrorist war imposed on Syria since 2011 has increased the severity of environmental challenges.
In recent years, we have witnessed the extraction of Syrian oil through primitive methods by terrorist organizations and separatist militias financed by foreign powers such as the United States, the senior official said.
He criticized that the unjust coercive measures imposed by the United States and the European Union deprived the Syrian people of their basic needs, including fuel and gas, which led some Syrians to cut trees to use them for heating and other activities of everyday life.
According to Arnous, Syria, despite all challenges, has taken many steps in the field of alternative energy and has enacted new laws to encourage investors to establish renewable energy generation plants, and has facilitated procedures to attract foreign investments in this sector.
Cuba, in its capacity as pro tempore president of the G77 and China, called this first Summit of its top leaders as a space for reflection and coordination of positions between southern countries, in the face of climate negotiations.
Experts agree that the meeting constitutes a novel initiative that will allow us to coordinate positions, agree on ideas and have concrete proposals to assert the aspirations and demands of the southern countries related to these problems.
ef/rgh/fm
