The Group of 77 and China consists of 133 nations of the South.
It was formed in June 15, 1964 by 77 nations at the end of the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development, with the intention of
promoting South-South cooperation and attending to their common
problems of underdevelopment, a legacy of an international order
established by colonial domination. China joined the group in 1991.
The organization provides the possibility for the neocolonized peoples
of the world to define a common approach to the issues that humanity
confronts, in an environment that is freed from the interferences,
manipulations, and pressures of the global powers.
On June 15-16, 2014, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the Group of 77 and
China held an Extraordinary Summit in commemoration of its fiftieth
anniversary. Inasmuch as Bolivia is the current president of the
Group of 77, the Summit was noteworthy for the presence of the
perspective of the indigenous peoples of America and for the
visibility of Evo Morales, who has emerged as one of the principal
charismatic leaders in the emerging process of Latin American and
Caribbean unity and integration.
The Extraordinary Summit of 2014 emitted a Declaration with 242
articles, thirty-four of which are dedicated to the need to protect
the earth (articles 29, 31, 40, 173-93, 204-13), including such issues
as climate change, biological diversity, deforestation,
desertification, and others. The Declaration asserts: “We stress the
need to further mainstream sustainable development at all levels,
integrating economic, social and environmental aspects and recognizing
their inter-linkages, so as to achieve sustainable development in all
its dimensions. . . . We acknowledge that the Earth and its
ecosystems are our home and we are convinced that, in order to achieve
a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of
present and future generations, it is necessary to promote harmony
with nature and the Earth. We also recognize that “Mother Earth” is a
common expression for planet Earth in a number of countries and
regions, which reflects the interdependence that exists among human
beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.”
The ecological consciousness of the peoples of the South is part
of an integral vision that includes the rights of all nations and
peoples to sovereignty, self-determination, and development. Its
program of action calls for the eradication of poverty, the reduction
of inequality, and the protection of the social and economic rights of
the people; the full and equal participation of women, gender
equality, and programs of action with respect to violence against
women and girls in all of its forms; the “rights of indigenous peoples
to their lands, natural resources, identity and culture;” debt
cancellation and debt restructuring; reform of the global financial
architecture; and reform of the United Nations.
For commentary on the Summit, addresses by Evo Morales and Raúl
Castro, and a full English version of its 2014 Declaration, go to:
“The nations of the Global South speak” at
http://www.globallearning-cuba.com/blog-the-view-from-the-south.
Charles McKelvey
Professor Emeritus
Presbyterian College
Clinton, South Carolina
Section on Political Science from the South
Division of Philosophy and History
University of Havana
Havana, Cuba
Global Learning, LLC
http://www.globallearning-cuba.com
