President Kagame is currently in Cuba to attend the two-day Group of 77 + China Summit, which commenced on September 15 in Havana, Cuba’s capital.
Upon his arrival, President Kagame expressed his heartfelt gratitude for being back in Cuba after 36 years.
“First of all, I am very happy to have been invited to the summit taking place here in Havana, Cuba. For me, coming to Havana, Cuba, is something of great memory because I was in this country from 1986 to 1987, which is 36 years ago. I was a young officer serving in a country that had given me a home as well, which was Uganda, and I was here to undertake a course that was offered to many Africans,” the Head of State said, adding, “So, I am very happy that I am back, even though it has been a very long time, to attend this summit.”
Under the theme “The role of science, technology, and innovation in development,” the Summit has brought together leaders from the G77 + China, a group of developing and emerging countries representing 80 percent of the global population.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also in attendance.
The summit aims to promote a “new economic world order” amid warnings of growing polarization.
The bloc was established by 77 countries from the global South in 1964 “to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity,” according to the group’s website.
As of today, it has 134 members, including China, although the Asian giant asserts it is not a full member.
Cuba assumed the rotating presidency in January. Currently, G77 + China comprises more than 100 countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, all striving to create a ‘new economic world order.’
