In a practical sense, these cultural links were enhanced when the ASA member states unanimously agreed to advise their national Olympic committees to back Brazil's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2016. In all likelihood, this solid support helped Brazil a week after the summit to achieve this honour at the International Olympic Committee's election in Copenhagen, a success now widely regarded as a victory for the South.
Significantly, the summit advanced the organizational structure of ASA through a follow-up mechanism, by setting up a permanent secretariat to be housed on Margarita Island. Sectoral working groups, led by high level officials, will also meet in the next few months to present proposals to a gathering of foreign ministers within the next year.
These administrative processes, undoubtedly, will move South-South cooperation to a higher level.
Dr. Odeen Ishmael
embguy@cantv.net
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(The writer is Guyana's ambassador to Venezuela. The views expressed are solely those of the writer.)
http://www.vheadline.com/ishmael
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