Foreign Ministers conclude review of the draft Doha Declaration
and Plan of Action; stress importance of South-South cooperation and the strengthening of the United Nations in the field of development

Doha, 13 June 2005 – The review of the Doha Declaration and Plan of Action was at the centre of the Ministerial Meeting held today in the context of the Second South Summit of the Group of 77. The meeting was inaugurated yesterday at the senior officials level. Both documents are to be adopted by the Heads of State and Government during their Meeting, be held from 15-16 June 2005.

Following an address by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani and of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Jamaica, His Excellency Mr. Delano Franklin, in his capacity as Chairman of the group of 77, the Ministers held an interactive dialogue centering on the issues of South-South cooperation and the implementation of the outcome of the First South Summit; and the strengthening of the United Nations in the field of development with special reference to the proposed outcome document for the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77 outlined the importance of South-South cooperation as a tool for developing and strengthening the economic independence of developing countries and achieving development as one of the means of ensuring the equitable and effective participation of developing countries in the merging global economy. In this context, South-South cooperation is not being considered as a substitute but rather a complement to North-South cooperation.

The Group of 77 decided in Havana in 2000 on an ambitious programme to expand South-South cooperation. The delegations pointed out that the vast potential of such cooperation remains largely untapped. The lack of effective arrangements was identified as one constraint.

Speaking about the proposed reform of the United Nations, the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77 stressed the importance for developing countries today that these efforts result in genuine strengthening and revitalization of the United Nations. For this to happen, it is essential that development remains the priority and at the centre of the Organization's work. In general, developing countries must support genuine multilateralism and democratization of global governance. In this context, the reform of the United Nations should also be extended to the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO) which have a vital impact on development and on international economic relations.

The Second South Summit will open at the level of Heads of State and Government on Thursday 15 June with a general debate on the development challenges facing the South, with special reference to the upcoming 60 th Session of the General Assembly.

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