Developing nations on Saturday declared Sept. 16 the annual “Day of Science, Technology and Innovation in the South” as they prepared to wrap up a two-day summit on the subject.
The statement cited the pandemic and unequal distribution of vaccines as an example, pointing out that all but Cuba’s were developed outside the block and rich nations were disproportionately vaccinated.
China maintains that it is not a G77 member, despite being listed as one by the bloc, but Beijing says it has supported the group’s legitimate claims and maintained cooperative relations.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, whose country holds the organization’s presidency this year, said on Friday that U.N. data shows that 10 countries account for 90% of patents and 70% of exports of advanced digital production technologies.
“Creation and dissemination of advanced digital production technologies worldwide remain concentrated, with minor activity in most of the emerging economies,” he said.
The G77, which is the largest within the United Nations by population and number of members, called for a special meeting to tackle the issues raised at the summit.
