Havana, Jun 16 (AIN) Members of the Group of 77 and China pledged commitment to reinforce the South-South cooperation as one way to foster the development of all 132 Third World countries. 

French news agency AFP published remarks by Jamaica's Prime Minister, Percival James Patterson, acting chairman of the G-77, who criticized the weakness of cooperation activities and called upon member countries to strengthen those actions.  

During the inauguration ceremony of the meeting last Wednesday, the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, proposed that a 'South Fund' be created to help the poorest nations, and announced a contribution of 20 million dollars from his country to that fund.  

"We hope the States Members of the Cooperation Council of the Gulf undertake similar initiatives to that of Qatar," said Yemeni Foreign Minister, Abubakr al-Qurbi. 

Development is a top priority issue within the Final Declaration of the South Summit. In the document the G-77 and China ratify their common interest in promoting genuine international cooperation for the development of Third World Nations, according to Prensa Latina. 

This news agency also pointed to the emphasis made by the South countries on the need to take appropriate measures to reduce the technological gap between developing and industrialized nations, as another way to achieve steady economic growth.  

The draft Declaration of Doha favors a multilateral system for open and equal trade, a trade that is stable and non-discriminatory and aimed at fostering economic development.

(AIN) June 16 2005