UN calls for more fairness for developing nations at a G77 summit in Cuba

The U.N. secretary-general is calling for nations to build a world that is more fair for developing countries, as he kicks off a summit in Cuba of the G77 group of emerging economies plus China

The U.N. secretary-general called Friday for nations to build a world that is more fair for developing countries, as he kicked off a summit in Cuba of the G77 group of emerging economies plus China.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that while many of the countries of the G77 have helped lift millions of people from poverty, they still face a lot of crises, including hunger, inflation, climate disasters and debt, and they haven't gotten enough help.

“The conclusion is clear: The world is failing developing countries,” Guterres said in Spanish.

The summit of G77 group, which was founded in the 1960s, is taking place in Cuba just a few days ahead of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

“The voice of the G77 plus China will always be essential at the United Nations," Guterres said. “And I count on your group, who have long been champions of multilateralism, to step up, to use your power, and fight: Champion a system rooted in equality; champion a system ready to reverse the injustice and neglect of centuries.”

He added that the world should “create a fairer future for developing countries.”

Cuba's president and the host of the meeting, Miguel Díaz-Canel, welcomed the delegates and asked the group to look for ways to fight against unilateral sanctions against some of its members, like the ones the U.S. has imposed against his island nation.

Only a few delegations were led by their presidents, some of whom are expected to travel to New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

Among the leaders who gathered in Cuba are the presidents Alberto Fernández of Argentina; Gustavo Petro of Colombia, Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela.