The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Developing countries urged to assert

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Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
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Developing countries urged to assert

Staff Reporter

South-South cooperation strengthening: South African Ambassador

Photo: Vipinchandran

Women power: Women Naval officers on board the South African frigate SAS Spioenkop in Kochi on Friday. —

KOCHI: The looming economic crisis has given an opportunity to developing countries to make their mark and take their rightful place in the world order, the Chief of Naval Staff of South African Navy Rear Admiral M.H. Magalefa said.

“This is an apt time to check what went wrong and make the world a better place to live. Developing countries should determine their destiny, without being answerable to the global powers. This is because the ‘Third World’ has huge population and resources that have together contributed to the making of today’s ‘First World,” he said, while addressing mediapersons on board the SAS Spioenkop, a frigate of the South African Navy that called at Kochi on Friday.

Answering a question on the effectiveness of South-South cooperation, South African Ambassador to India Francis Moloi said the cooperation was deepening and was real. “The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) grouping is a classic example of cooperation between three prominent countries spread across three continents. They are strong democracies with growing economies. We have to bring together our core competencies to develop the respective regions. The three countries can also do much to improve energy security. India’s strength is wind energy, whereas South Africa has coal-based energy sources and Brazil has adopted ethanol-based technologies.”

Expressing concern over piracy on the Somali coast, Mr. Moloi said the international community should build a consensus on the issue. We are not talking of a formal agreement, but a consensus.

The Indian Navy should be applauded for turning back pirates who tried to take control of two ships. Human trafficking from poverty-stricken countries is another problem. The IBSA nations can put these on international community’s agenda.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr Moloi said it was high time that reforms were made to the U.N. “The world has changed phenomenally since 1945. But the organisation leaves out almost three-fourths of the world population from its decision-making process. Defence Adviser to the South African High Commissioner in India Col. Sydney M. Mdlulwa and the warship’s commanding officer Capt. Christopher George Manig were present.

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