|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HAVANA (Islam Online) – Leaders of developing countries are in the Cuban capital Havana for the one of the largest Third World summits in recent years, referred to as the South Summit. It is the first time that the 133 countries of group G77 have held a meeting at the level of heads of state since the organization was founded in 1964. An estimation of more than 60 heads of state are discussing issues such as debt relief, access for developing countries to industrialized nations’ markets and technology, and the future of the United Nations. The host country pointed out that the gap between the richest and poorest countries has widened drastically. In a statement, the Cuban government said it wants the Summit to find a common position for the poor countries to stand up to the rich. It urged Third World nations to unite with courage and audacity and be heard with one single voice. The statement was also critical of free market liberations, U.S. domination of the world’s politics, and economic interference of First World powers in the internal affairs of Third World countries. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan attended the conference and addressed an audience at Havana University that included President Fidel Castro. Annan praised Cuba for its achievements, particularly in education and health. He urged the Cuban government to make Cuba a more open society, saying a country denying itself open and democratic institutions impeded the development and progress of its people.
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
