Various African leaders are expected in the Cuban capital, Havana, for the Group of 77 and China Summit (G77+China Summit) scheduled to be held on September 15 and 16.
The G77 is a group of developing countries in Asia, Africa and Central and South America first formed in 1964 and which has since grown to more than 130 members.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye was the first African leader to arrive in Cuba, having landed in Havana on Tuesday and held meetings with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
Other African leaders who are expected to attend the Summit include Angolan President Joao Lourenco, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo and Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga among others.
The Group of 77 aims to provide means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on major international economic issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development.
In a message conveyed ahead of the Summit, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the G77 can play an important role in the developing countries’ quest for development.
“It is very important that the developing countries fight in order to make sure that we reach the transformations that are needed in the international systems to create the conditions for them to face the challenges and be able to regain momentum in their development. And they need international solidarity, and they need justice in international relations for that,” said Guterres.
