Strengthening cooperation between the Group of 77 countries and China to face challenges – Al-Baath Media

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh stressed that the importance of the Group of 77 and China is growing now more than ever, given the unprecedented challenges the world is witnessing, stressing that cooperation between the group’s countries is the key to confronting these challenges that hinder the achievement of sustainable development goals, especially in light of Western countries’ disregard for many of the group’s legitimate concerns.

Sabbagh explained during a speech before the Third South Summit held in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that the Group of 77 and China, which represents two-thirds of the member states of the United Nations, has played an important role on the international scene, and its importance has grown now more than ever, given the unprecedented economic challenges the world is witnessing, due to natural disasters, climate change, declining food and water security, economic inflation, rising commodity prices, and the energy crisis, in addition to the continuation of all forms of organized looting of peoples’ wealth and capabilities by the forces of occupation and colonialism.

Sabbagh said: Cooperation and solidarity among member states is the key to mobilizing the group’s efforts to confront these challenges. Continuing and strengthening this cooperation and solidarity in the coming period will enable us to continue defending our common interests, confronting various crises and challenges that hinder our efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and achieving more to meet the aspirations of our peoples for progress and prosperity, especially in light of Western countries’ disregard for many of our group’s legitimate concerns.

Sabbagh stressed that Syria stresses the need to reform international financial institutions, especially the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and to ensure the participation of developing countries in decision-making, and to provide effective and predictable financing for development purposes to all those entitled to it without politicization, and in a way that ensures the dealing of international financial institutions with the countries of the group in terms of distributing quotas and special drawing rights units, taking into account the economic and social dimensions of sustainable development, and not only the income criterion in the conditions set by the World Bank to obtain financing. We also stress the need to give priority in obtaining financing and international grants to countries that are going through unusual circumstances such as natural disasters or wars and others.

Sabbagh added: Syria stresses the importance of enhancing international cooperation in the field of climate action, and providing the necessary assistance to developing countries to mitigate the catastrophic effects of climate change and restore biodiversity, through establishing easy financing mechanisms, developing scientific solutions, and building capacities, congratulating the sisterly United Arab Emirates on the success it achieved in hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28).

Sabbagh continued: Syria also stresses the importance of giving the water issue the priority and great attention it deserves, and rationalizing the use of water resources, especially in light of the severe pressures it is exposed to as a result of unilateral measures, climate change, natural disasters, and the increasing demand for water.

Sabbagh expressed Syria’s thanks and appreciation to the group’s countries for their continued support for its issues in various international forums, especially with regard to the occupied Syrian Golan, through the group’s submission of the annual draft resolution on the permanent sovereignty of the Syrian and Palestinian peoples over their natural resources, as well as within the framework of the summit’s final document by reiterating the demand for the immediate withdrawal of “Israel,” the occupying power, from the Syrian Golan, and emphasizing that the Israeli occupation is the main obstacle to achieving sustainable development and a sound economic environment in the region, in addition to calling for an end to Israeli attacks on Syrian infrastructure, including civilian airports, which threatens the safety of civil aviation and the lives of passengers, hinders the United Nations’ humanitarian aid operations, and constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law.

Sabbagh pointed out that Syria appreciates the Group’s long-standing position against unilateral coercive measures that are illegal, immoral and inhumane, including those imposed on it, which have had disastrous effects on the daily lives of all Syrians, deprived them of their basic needs, and limited the ability of state institutions to strengthen the economy, attract investment and achieve development and prosperity. He indicated that the Group’s call for the immediate lifting of these measures requires intensifying efforts to achieve this, especially in light of the intransigence of the United States of America and the European Union and their insistence on their wrong policies based on pressuring peoples who reject their hegemony and adhere to their sovereignty, decision and national choices.

Sabbagh reiterated Syria’s commitment to continue working with all the group’s countries to achieve common goals, stressing the need for the group to have a leading role in formulating the preparatory work for the Future Summit scheduled to be held next September, as it is an important platform for finding practical solutions that meet the hopes of our countries for well-being, prosperity and development.

On behalf of Syria, Sabbagh thanked the friendly Republic of Cuba for its successful presidency of the Group of 77 and China during the year 2023, praising the efforts it made and the distinguished representation of the interests of countries and peoples. He also thanked the government of the friendly Republic of Uganda for hosting the Third South Summit, congratulating it on assuming the presidency of the Group of 77 and China.

The work of the Third South Summit was launched yesterday in Kampala with the participation of Syria and the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the General Assembly. During the opening of the summit, the presidency of the Group of 77 and China was handed over from Cuba to Uganda.