By Edith M. Lederer. .c The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS, 9 (AP) - Cuba will host a Third World summit in April, a gathering aimed at helping put developing nations in the mainstream of the global economy and the technology revolution.
Nigeria's U.N. Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo said Wednesday that more than 70 heads of state or government are expected to attend the summit in Havana on April 10-14.
``The Havana summit is aimed at restoring the commitment of the member states of the Group of 77 to a new economic platform for the south,'' said Mbanefo, whose country holds the group's rotating presidency.
The group was established in 1964 by 77 developing countries and has increased its hip to 133 nations. It is the largest Third World coalition at the United Nations, promoting the economic and social interests of the world's poorer nations.
Through the summit, ``we shall make the struggle against underdevelopment the binding cement of the solidarity of the south,'' the group's foreign ministers said in a recent statement.
The summit will explore the growing trend of globalization; increasing access to knowledge and technology; enhancing the dialogue between countries in the south and the richer developed nations in the north; and increasing cooperation, investment and trade among the southern nations.
Cuba offered to host the summit. It has played host to a number of other international conferences, including a summit of Latin American and European leaders in November.
The summit will be preceded by several related events in Havana in March, including a forum for voluntary and grassroots organizations from the south, a workshop on north-south relations, and a forum for businessmen from the south.
AP-NY-02-09-00 2051EST
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