G5 Calls for More Cooperation on International Issues

The Group of Five leading developing countries have jointly issued a political declaration in the earthquake-stricken Italian city of L'Aquila.

In the declaration, they call for more cooperation and coordination in dealing with climate change and the economic crisis, reforming the international financial system and fighting non-traditional security risks.

Our reporter Shi Yingying has more.

In L'Aquila, the member countries of the G5--Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa--are discussing measures to cope with some pressing global issues.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who is attending the meeting on behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao, cited four areas that require the G5's further cooperation and coordination.

"During the complicated international situation, the international community should join hands to tackle the economic crisis, reform the global financial system, and positively deal with climate change and some nontraditional security threats."

Mexican President Felipe Calderon agreed.

"Unity and cooperation are the keys to addressing the challenges that all the developing countries are facing. Mexico is making efforts to improve our environment. And some nation-level projects have been launched to tackle climate change."

South Africa President Jacob Zuma also expressed deep concerns about the climate issue.

"As Africans, we remain deeply concerned about climate change to which the continent is particularly vulnerable. This year, we need the G8 to lead the efforts in bringing together all developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

On the economic front, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on the G5 countries to work together with other nations to deal with the economic crisis, strengthen financial supervision and fight protectionism.

The five countries jointly issued a political declaration after the meeting, calling for a new global governance system whose structure must be based on inclusive multilaterism.

They also stressed the need to address the global and financial crisis in a coordinated manner, carefully considering its social and development impacts as well as the long-term requirements of stability and sustainability.

SYY, CRI News.