CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

G-77 Members and China Extol Cuba’s Leadership.

CUBA, March 17, 2011.- Members of the Group of 77 and China recognized Cuba’s work as president of the coalition in the ceremony for the transfer of power held Thursday in Geneva.

The ambassadors of Nepal, on behalf of the least developed countries; of Paraguay on behalf of developing countries without sea access; and of Ghana, El Salvador and Thailand, as respective coordinators for the African, Latin American and Asian groups, praised Cuba’s performance as chair of the Group over the last year.

The representatives of those countries recognized the Cuban commitment and leadership in defense of the Third World countries’ claim for world solidarity and justice faced with a deep world crisis, as well as for the establishment of a new international economic order.

Likewise, ambassadors of China, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Yemen, South Africa, Indonesia, Cameroon, Morocco, Irak, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Zambia, Mali, Tunisia and Angola congratulated Cuba and highlighted its role in the institutional consolidation of the Group of 77 and China in Geneva.

The ceremony for transfer of the presidency of G-77 and China to the Kingdom of Lesotho took place at the Palace of Nations, reported sources of the Cuban delegation in Switzerland.

The meeting was attended by Supachai Panitchpakdi, General Director of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, and by Martin Khor, Executive Director of South Center.

Cuba’s permanent representative in Geneva Rodolfo Reyes Rodriguez reviewed the actions taken by Cuba as leader of the Group during its one-year presidency and identified important challenges for the new president, Ambassador Anthony Mothae Maruping.

The Cuban presidency introduced in 2010 new practices such as the drawing of documents stating political positions in support of negotiators, the creation of a digital development platform, and the appointment of a vice president for the Group.

Within the next few months, the coalition of developing nations plus China is expected to coordinate positions in view of the celebration of the Fourth Conference on Least Developed Countries, the 13th UNCTAD Ministerial Meeting, the Third South Summit and the Earth Summit in 2012. (Cubaminrex-AIN)