As interpreted in Bangkok, David Jessop's article 'Changes in global order', The Sunday Gleaner March 1, encourages fresh thinking about global realities.

The very recent summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which met in Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, discussed, among other matters, the global economic and financial crisis. The summit urged that more coordinated action by both developed and developing countries be taken to restore financial stability and ensure the continued functioning of financial markets to provide support to growth. It called for a bold and urgent reform of the international financial system to achieve a more comprehensive, equitable and inclusive system that takes into consideration the interests and voices of the emerging and developing economies.

A larger process

This is a component of a larger process. Like Jamaica, all 10 members of ASEAN are also members of the G-77 and China and are in favour of an effective multilateralism and a just, equitable and non-discriminatory international order.

The G-77 will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year. Its formation in June 1964 was a clear demonstration by 77 developing countries (now 130) of their strong determination collectively to overcome marginalisation and to bring a change in an inequitable system. Today, confronted with global vulnerabilities, South-South cooperation acquires a greater and more visible importance as a vital expression of a solidarity based on common ideals. As all developing countries navigate now through difficult and challenging times, their solidarity is crucial during the current global economic crisis which is, indeed, in many ways a manifest watershed for the world community.

I am, etc.,

IOAN VOICU

ioanvoicu@yahoo.com

Bangkok, Thailand