CLOSING REMARKS BY THE MOST HONOURABLE P. J. PATTERSON, PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA, AT THE SECOND SOUTH SUMMIT OF THE G77 AND CHINA, DOHA, QATAR

We have just completed the Second South Summit – A Summit which any dispassionate analysis can only describe as one which was highly successful.
The Summit has already taken note and recorded its gratitude to the Presentation of your Highness Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, for the commitment you made at the opening of our meeting to provide 0.7 percent of Qatar’s GNP to development assistance from 2006, and to launch and contribute 20 million US dollars to the South Fund for Development & Humanitarian Assistance.
We have analyzed the state of development in the South; the rapidly evolving global environment which shape our future; and our responses to date. More importantly, we have determined a course of action to ensure that the countries and peoples of the South participate meaningfully and equitably in the opportunities for development. This we have set out in the Doha Declaration and the Doha Plan of Action which we have just adopted by acclamation.
We have reaffirmed the conclusion of our Havana Summit that a more intense, broad-based, purposeful and mutually beneficial system of cooperation and inter-change among our countries at the levels of government, peoples, businesses and institutions is vital.
We now recognize from experience that we cannot just hope for this but we must be prepared to identify opportunities and to take the appropriate action to implement the programmes and undertakings if they are to become reality.
Urgent Priorities
Among the urgent priorities which we have identified are:
Establishment of a common strategy for securing national policy space for developing countries, particularly in trade, investment, financial and industrial policies;
Enhancement of full and effective participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making and norm setting, and the promotion within the WTO of a fair and equitable rules-based trading system.
Addressing those trade related issues which are required for the full integration of small and vulnerable economies within the multilateral trading system;
In pursuance of the initiative of the President of Brazil – the intensification of efforts towards identifying innovative sources of financing for social development so as to assist developing countries in the promotion of economic growth, and the eradication of hunger, poverty and disease.
Ensuring that in the context of any reform of the United Nations, the issue of development is given the highest priority and that the entire UN system is appropriately strengthened and empowered to support this priority; We have 132 members in the UN we can make it happen.
Strengthening of South-South Cooperation in the field of science and technology, in particular, in the areas of medicine, pharmaceutical and bio-technology.
Undertaking of a comprehensive study on new and dynamic sectors with a view to enhancing the participation of developing countries in world trade in areas where they have potential comparative advantage;
Special attention to the situation of Africa, support for NEPAD and the need for a substantial transfer of resources for their development needs so as to eradicate the scourge of infectious diseases.
Full and effective implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of the Small Island Developing States, the Almaty Programme of Action for addressing the special needs of Landlocked Developing Countries and the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010;
Increased international assistance in the creation and strengthening of national, regional and international mechanisms for the prevention, preparedness and mitigation of natural disasters, including the establishment of early warning systems;
Increased ODA flows to meet the internationally agreed targets for ODA of 0.7 per cent of GNP to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent to LDCs.
Identification of Mechanisms
The Summit has identified a number of mechanisms and arrangements through which action can be taken at manageable costs. These include:
Establishing and strengthening of networks and building of centers of excellence in various areas to take advantage of the strength, expertise, facilities and experience of our various countries.
The further encouragement of economic and trade cooperation arrangements among our countries, including the Generalized System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) among developing countries.
The encouragement of our business sectors to organize themselves to take advantage of opportunities across our countries;
The encouragement of cultural exchanges and other activities.
Proposed Initiatives
We have taken note of a range of bilateral initiatives and proposals by members of our group. We have also encouraged member states and groups of member states to develop and promote other cooperation initiatives in the early future.
Fundamental change in global relations and the arrangements for their management are imperative. The South cannot remain passive. We must work collectively to drive the change we seek.
In this regard we have targeted the high level plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2005, the trade ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2005 in Hong Kong and the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in November 2005 as important occasions to press for the change which will advance our development.
We have also determined that we must seek change in the pattern of, North-South relations and the approach to improving them. We agreed to strengthen our dialogue.
I have been directed as Chairman of our Group to bring the relevant conclusions of our meeting to the attention of our development partners, and immediately to the G-8 by the time of their meeting in Gleneagles in Scotland.
We recognize the vital importance of timely implementation and we have therefore provided in the Plan of Action for systematic monitoring of our efforts.
We have urged contributions to the G-77 Fund which was established pursuant to the decision of our first Summit to facilitate implementation and follow-up.
We have also agreed to make our annual contribution to this G-77 Secretariat.
We have decided to make full use of the resources and facilities of the United Nations system to help us achieve our objectives.
As Chairman of the G77 and China, I take this opportunity to renew assurances of my intention to work closely with my colleague Heads of State and Government as we seek to advance South-South cooperation and at the same time bridge the North-South divide.
In so doing, I would urge that we all remain resolute and firm in our overarching commitment, resolve and solidarity as we move forward in the launch of our new platform for cooperation, partnership and for positive change in the international system.
I look forward to the opportunity which we will have in the coming months for further consultations and collaboration, particularly during the High-level Plenary Session of the upcoming UN General Assembly as well as when we undertake the mid-term review of the implementation of the outcomes of the Second South Summit.
In closing, I wish to convey to you, your Highness and the Government and People of the State of Qatar, our thanks and deep appreciation for all the kind courtesies which have been extended to all our delegations during our extremely pleasant but short sojourn in this lovely country.
I specially wish to thank and congratulate Minister Rumahai and his Organizing Committee for the work done to make this Summit a success.
Sincere thanks are due also to the Executive Secretary of the G77 and China and his hardworking staff for their contribution to the preparation and conduct of the Summit proceedings. They all deserve our praise for a commendable performance.
Finally, I must also thank the management and staff of the Hotels, this Conference Centre, the volunteers and countless other persons who have contributed in one way or another to the success of the Second Summit.
We leave Doha with pleasant memories but convinced that we have built on the sound foundations laid when our Group was created 40 years ago and that the G77 and China is now imbued with the vision, the impetus and the unity that will enable us to overcome the formidable challenges which still remain and ensure that we will grow even more vibrant and strong in the decades ahead.