Leaders from five major developing countries stressed in a group meeting here Tuesday the importance of strengthening south-south cooperation and shared responsibility as major developing countries.
Leaders from China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico issued a joint political declaration after having a group meeting on the sidelines of dialogue between Group of Eight and developing countries' leaders.
The declaration reaffirmed the role of South-South cooperation in the context of multilateralism, and the need to strengthen it as an important platform for developing countries to jointly respond to development challenges.
"South-South cooperation enjoys important comparative advantages and complements rather than replaces North-South cooperation," said the declaration calling on governments, international organizations and all relevant actors to support South-South cooperation by fully tapping the synergies of triangular cooperation.
Acknowledging progress made in recent years in South-South cooperation, developing countries are committed to continue broadening their reach and impact through innovative models of cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
As major developing countries, we are determined to make all efforts to "achieve the improved global economic governance and other major global changes required to ensure that globalization and interdependence work for the benefit of all, said the declaration.
The developing countries also committed themselves to a strengthened multilateralism, remaining fully engaged in intensified international cooperation under the leadership of the United Nations.
They will continue to strive for comprehensive reforms of the UN and urge the international community to faithfully implement the outcomes of major world summits, especially the Millennium Development Goals.
"As a key strategic objective, we will continue contributing to multilaterally promote an action-oriented partnership for equitable and sustainable development, including by making a positive contribution in such critical areas as global governance, financial stability, climate change as well as food and energy security," the declaration noted.
The five countries at the same time vowed to consolidate bilateral relations, improve their cooperation level and mechanism based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and cooperation for the common good.