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Countries of the Global South are taking their first steps toward a contemporary world, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday during the Group of 77 and China Summit, asking for greater support from China and India so that the nations of the South can develop technology for telecommunication, health, agriculture, and space exploration, among other vital fields.

Maduro called on all the bloc members and participants not to draw boundaries on science and technology, adding that countries must seek assistance in these fields from Beijing and New Delhi.

“We should seek help in science from #China and #India.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the #G77Summit#AlMayadeen#Cuba #Havana#G77yChina https://t.co/32y2OzKPY2

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 15, 2023

Founded back in 1964, the G77 quickly became a focal point for the world's economic landscape. The bloc became an international platform uniting developing nations and enabling them to voice their concerns, advocate their interests, coordinate their stances, and negotiate with developed nations.

This year's event, however, is not like the ones held previously. At the heart of the 2023 summit is China; the main driver today toward a multipolar world and a primary leading power of the Global South.

Read more: Cuban President at G77: Challenges today caused by unjust world order

The G77+China Summit held in Cuba's Havana is considered a milestone event that is expected to have global geopolitical implications not only for its host country but also for China specifically, as well as the broader Global South.

"What could be better than G77+China meeting at the epicenter of the resistance of the Latin America peoples. Havana is the capital of the Global South,” Maduro told the participants. This will be the century of nations steering away from empires and colonialisms, he continued.

“The countries from the South will seek their own political and economic development models. They will not accept impositions from any power with pretensions of domination,” he added.

The President also stressed the urgent need for access to knowledge via the Internet and described it as a crucial need for Southern nations to enhance knowledge and communication.

“The countries of the Global South must have access to technology in order to enhance knowledge and communication.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the #G77Summit#AlMayadeen#Cuba #Havana#G77yChina https://t.co/Dzg84bvfJC

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 15, 2023

He also emphasized the importance of establishing policies that allow developing nations to have increased access to social networks, pointing out that "there are those who obstruct knowledge access to these countries," referring to the "Global North".

Additionally, the Venezuelan President urged the United Nations to launch a worldwide initiative aimed at promptly ending all unilateral coercive measures employed by the United States and its allies to target numerous developing countries, including Venezuela and Cuba.

Read more: G77; its history and legacy

Ahead of the summit in #Havana on Friday, here's the history behind the formation of #G77 and the significance this bloc carries in global politics. pic.twitter.com/gXJYYcFnOP

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 12, 2023

UN chief: Global system failed developing nations

In his address at the summit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries of the South to raise "voices in the fight for a world that works for everyone" since international governance systems are failing developing nations.

"Now they [developed countries] find themselves entangled in a web of global crises. Poverty is on the rise, and hunger is increasing. Prices are soaring, debt is excessive, and climate disasters are becoming more frequent," he said.

"Global systems and frameworks have let them down. The conclusion is clear: the world is failing developing countries."

Guterres proposed that to change this situation, "we need national-level measures to ensure good governance, mobilize resources, and prioritize sustainable development. And we need global-level measures that respect national sovereignty, with the aim of building an international system that upholds human rights and serves the common interest."

Read more: Lula calls on Global South to ditch USD, trade in own currencies

The UN chief also acknowledged that many global organizations reflect "a bygone era" and emphasized the need to update the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank (WB).

In the economic sphere, he called for financial justice and immediate actions, citing that "numerous nations are struggling with debt repayment" as a result of the pandemic, worldwide inflation, and "the consequences of severe weather events."

"Reforms of the international financial system are gaining ground, but they will take time. We need to act immediately," Guterres said.

He highlighted that while science, technology, and innovation have the potential to promote solidarity and tackle shared challenges, they frequently amplify inequalities and strengthen divisions.

"Only global action can address these inequalities, ensure a fair transition to a digital economy, and ensure that in a new technological era, no one is left behind," Guterres stated, urging the G77+China to play a "leading role" in different multilateral forums.

"I count on this Group, which has long been a champion of multilateralism, to step forward, use its power, and advocate for a system based on equality, a system ready to end centuries of injustice and neglect, and a system that benefits all humankind."