Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Thank you for the opportunity to address this brainstorming session on south-south cooperation on science and technology for development and the role of global Networks of the South.

2. As you are aware, the First South Summit of the Group of 77 in Havana, Cuba in April 2000, decided to initiate action for the establishment of a global network of scientific organizations of the South. The objective is to strengthen scientific capacity building through scientific exchanges and networking. It will also encourage the sharing of innovative experiences in the use of science and technology to address critical development concerns of developing countries.

3. Following Ministerial Meetings in Dubai and Rio de Janeiro, the Consortium on Science, Technology and Innovation for the South (COSTIS) was officially launched by the Group of 77 on the occasion of the Fourth World Science Forum held in Budapest, Hungary, on 4 November 2009, and mandate was given to the Chair of G-77 in New York City and COSTIS Focal Point in Paris to coordinate the preparatory activities of the global Network.

4. In accordance with COSTIS road map, as a part of the implementation of this network, the following actions were taken:

- A fundraising campaign has been launched and several institutions have been approached to provide financial support. In this context, I am pleased to report that three institutions - OPEC Fund, Islamic Development Bank and PGTF - have expressed their willingness and interest to provide support to this initiative.
- An intergovernmental process of consultations was initiated since last year by the Chairman of the G77 in New York and COSTIS coordinator in Paris to identify country to host the first meeting of the global network of scientific organizations of the South.
- A compilation of Directory of scientific institutions is being established by G-77 in New York.
- At G-77 initiative in Paris, we introduced last year a resolution at the Executive Board of UNESCO requesting UNESCO to support the G-77 efforts in resources mobilization.
- A Website has been established by G-77 in New York.
- An inter-governmental consultative process was initiated by G-77 in New York.

5. I wish to seize this occasion to express my sincere appreciation to the Chairman of the G77 and China, Ambassador Jorge Argüello of Argentina, in New York for his valuable support and for the close collaboration that we have had for the implementation of the global network of scientific organizations of the South. I also wish to acknowledge the great contribution of the Executive Secretary of the Group of 77 in New York, for his valuable support and able leadership. We are committed to work with all parties to mobilize necessary support for the success f this strategic initiative by the South and for the South.

I thank you.