CLOSING REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR STAFFORD NEIL,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77
Havana, 23 March 2004 

Madam Minister,

Let me reiterate on behalf of all the members of the Group of 77 and China, our deep gratitude and appreciation to you personally and to the people and government of Cuba for your warm welcome hospitality and excellent arrangements made for hosting this meeting, in beautiful and historic Havana. I would like also to take this opportunity to express to all Delegations my sincere thanks for their attendance and active participation and for all the hard work done that led to a successful outcome.

For the last three days we have made significant advances on the road to Doha, were our second South Summit will take place. It is natural that the focus in our preparations for Doha has been at this IFCC session the subject of enhancing and strengthening South-South cooperation. However much work remains to be done as we draw closer to Doha.

It is my intention to convene as soon as possible in New York, the Group of 77 in order to report on the outcome of IFCC-XI and to place before them the results we achieved in this meeting. It is my intention to accelerate the preparatory process immediately thereafter in order that we can complete in good time the necessary documentation for the summit. I rely on the support of all Delegations in order to accomplish the tasks ahead. My special thanks goes to all those international organizations that participated in our meeting and who provided valuable substantive inputs to our meeting.

I wish to close now by expressing my gratitude to all those who helped us in the preparation and conduct. Especially Mr. Mourad Ahmia Executive Secretary of our Group, and all those who assisted him. My appreciation is also due to the Cuban Government Officials and all the local staff of the convention centre, as well as the team of interpreters who accompanied us in this process, they all deserve our praise.

Thank You.