Developing South-South Cooperation

It is a joint mission and historical task of mankind in the new century to break down the old, unequal international economic order and establish a new fair one. Fundamental way for its realization is to strengthen south-south cooperation between developing countries.

If the developing countries strengthen south-south cooperation to achieve economic independence, they can get on finely by their own efforts without relying on Western countries. They can cement their political independence and defend sovereignty only when they win economic independence by collective self-reliance. To achieve economic independence by developing south-south cooperation is an important way to build up national power to cope with foreign interference.

Many developing countries are now keenly aware of the importance and practical significance of south-south cooperation and making great efforts to strengthen bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation and exchange in politics, the economy and culture by displaying a spirit of collective self-reliance and international cooperation. The voices of the developing countries calling for further development of south-south cooperation are raised loudly at many international conferences.

The 20^th Ibero-American summit meeting was held in Argentina in December last year. The meeting mainly discussed the issue of strengthening solidarity and cooperation between its member nations, and issued a special communiqué on aid and solidarity between the member nations that suffered from flood and other natural disasters. The summit meeting of eight developing countries held in Nigeria last year issued the 2010 Abuja Declaration which stressed that intensification of broad south-south cooperation is the way to achieve economic development. The 17^th ASEAN summit meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam, last year summed up achievements made in the implementation of the ASEAN Charter and the process of founding the ASEAN Community, and put forth the tasks to reach new goals. The meeting served as a major occasion for development of cooperation and exchange between its member nations.

It is a new indication that south-south cooperation is going on not spontaneously but purposefully through the regional and continental organizations. In the new century African countries have reorganized the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union, which is a manifestation of their will to develop south-south cooperation in a unified way in conformity with the characteristics of the continent. The foundation of the Union has given a fresh impetus to south-south cooperation in the region. The South American Community has been reorganized into the Union of South American States. The Union is accelerating the work of establishing its own bank to promote common interests and development of the regional countries free from the restraints of the IMF and the World Bank. Caribbean countries have also set the goal of founding an Economic Union and are making necessary arrangements. Member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council are running a common market for security and stability in the Middle East and regional economic integration.

An increasing number of developing countries are strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries on the principle of independence regarding this as the solid basis of foreign relations. The vigorous struggle of the developing countries against economic domination and plunder of the West and for achieving socio-economic progress and common prosperity by strengthening south-south cooperation on the principle of collective self-reliance will lend a greater impetus to the world's current for independence.

Related Topics: Special Supplement receive the latest by email: subscribe to weekly blitz's free mailing list