Havana, June 16 (AIN) With the approval of a final declaration and an action plan, the 2nd South Summit concludes in Qatar on Thursday.

Heads of state and governments of the Group of 77 are expected to ratify the documents prepared by experts and foreign ministers during the two-day gathering.

Cuban Vice-president Carlos Lage addressed participants on Wednesday He read out a message sent by President Fidel Castro to the summit, in which the Cuban head of state denounced the unjust world economic order and condemned the hypocritical discourse of rich countries about free trade.

President Castro also criticized industrialized Northern countries for not having honored their commitment to provide assistance for the development of Southern nations.

During the summit, Qatar, proposed the setting up of a fund to fight poverty and announced a 20-million dollar contribution to that initiative. Meanwhile, Venezuela proposed to set up a South  bank and an International humanitarian fund to assist poor nations.

The 2nd South Summit is the top meeting of the Group of 77, which gathers representatives of 132 developing countries plus China. They represent the large majority of the world nations.

(AIN) June 16 2005