Advisor to the Cuban President, Jorge Nunez Jover, confirmed on Thursday that the G77-China summit offers an opportunity to strengthen relations with other southern countries and enhance cooperation.

In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Nunez stated that Cuba's development plan extends until 2030. He added that hosting the summit in Havana with such a significant number of delegations "indicates that Cuba is not alone."

Nunez emphasized that development relies heavily on reviving scientific and technological knowledge and innovation. He noted that the National Innovation Council, a recent initiative, aims to promote innovation.

Furthermore, he pointed out that research, pedagogical, and educational capabilities have been established in countries of the Global South. The Innovation Council, under the direct presidency of the Cuban President, stands out for its diverse membership, including representatives from the public, private, and university sectors. He also stressed that the current global technological system is "unjust and centered on a handful of countries, with capabilities concentrated in a specific group of countries in the North."

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Artificial Intelligence monopolized

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunez highlighted that it has exposed the fragility of health systems globally, and a significant portion of the world's population remains unvaccinated.

Nunez believed that southern countries should prioritize these issues and focus on developing their scientific capabilities and production systems. He emphasized that sovereignty and independence are not merely symbolic, and scientific capabilities are essential to overcoming many challenges.

Furthermore, the advisor to the Cuban President expressed concerns about the monopolization of artificial intelligence by a small group of international companies, which could threaten his country's sovereignty.

He pointed out various obstacles to overcome in the Global South, including political, economic, health, and other barriers. He stressed the need for significant efforts to make progress in these areas.

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Resources allocated to war must be diverted

Nunez also noted that the struggle for peace requires diverting resources allocated to war into peaceful activities. He underscored that matters regarding science, technology, and innovation have an inherent political dimension and urged the summit to adopt positions on subjects like Palestine and sanctions against Cuba.

Earlier yesterday, during the opening of the Group of 77-China summit in Havana, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called for an increase in global economic growth and social justice, as well as investments in factors necessary for achieving a new world order.

In this context, the draft final statement highlighted the challenges faced by Global South countries due to the unfair international economic system. It stressed the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the multilateral financial system and adopting a more comprehensive and coordinated approach.

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What is the G77 summit?

Founded back in 1964, as the fruit of the first UNCTAD conference, the G77 (the Group of 77) quickly became a focal point for the world's economic landscape. 

The G77 came at the heels of the devastating aftermath of the Second World War. The Group served as a platform uniting developing nations where they could: 

- voice their concerns
- advocate their interests
- coordinate their stances  
- negotiate with developed nations

What made the G77 unique was its ability to unite developing nations, forging a solid platform for them to coordinate their views on global economic matters.

This unity proved instrumental in the group's ability to yield change. Muchkund Dubey, former Indian Foreign Minister and a witness to the group's formation, described the G77's mission as a "historic endeavor to change the rules of the game." The group not only established new principles and standards governing the global economic system but also confronted the staunch resistance of developed nations head-on.

Initially, the group included 75 states, but by the end of the first UNCTAD conference, Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the group and 4 developing nations were added to consolidate the organization as a 77-state group. 

Read next: Cuban Ambassador to Al Mayadeen: G77 gives Global South hope