The Group of 15 developing countries held a one-day summit in Tehran (May 17) with only six heads of states attending an event overshadowed by Iran’s agreement to a nuclear fuel swap (See Major Deal Agreed on Tehran Uranium).

The summit was attended by presidents of Algeria, Brazil, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Iran, with lower-ranking officials representing the remaining countries.

Even Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a long-time US critic and one of Iran’s main allies in South America, was absent, despite strong relations between G15 member Venezuela and Iran.

Iranian media reported that Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad would be present at the summit as special guests, but neither Arab leader made an appearance. The emir said a conflict in his schedule had prevented his participation, according to local media, while Iranian officials denied Assad was invited.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended the summit though his presence was mainly because of Ankara’s mediation in Iran’s nuclear issue.

Established at the Ninth Non-Aligned Movement summit in Belgrade in 1989, Group 15 comprises a group of 18 developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It focuses on cooperation among developing countries in investment, trade and technology.

It is comprised of Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

The G15 meeting came at a time when U.S. and British officials are incessantly chanting the “international community is against Iran’s nuclear program” chorus and are scrambling to gain the support of UN Security Council members including Russia and China, for a new round of sanctions against Iran.

But the participation of Brazil, a great economic power in Latin America, which the U.S. used to call its backyard, surely frazzled nerves in Washington.

To win Brazil’s support in the campaign against Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Brasilia in early March. However, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim rebuffed her, saying that Brazil would not bow to pressure from Washington to support sanctions against Iran.

And Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, “I want for Iran the same thing as I wish for Brazil: To use the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. If Iran is in agreement with that, Iran will have Brazil’s support.”

Though the G15 members have different views and interests, they have one thing in common, i.e., they want to create a change in the global system, which currently favors the old great powers. Creating a change, especially in the global trade system, was the philosophy behind the establishment of the group.

With the passage of time, some developing countries like India and Brazil have emerged as important players in terms of economic and political clout and found a greater voice on the international stage. India and Brazil are even seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

And the number of countries expressing dissatisfaction about the current global system is rising.

Though the G15 mainly focuses on economic issues, the members surely know that all areas of the current global system must be changed in order to realize the goals of developing countries.

The G15 summit in Tehran aimed to strengthen South-South cooperation and help efforts to establish a Global South power bloc to counterbalance the hegemonic ambitions of the old great powers.

The G15 countries account for a large proportion of the world population and each has great potential, which provides an opportunity for cooperation within the group and with other developing countries outside the group.

For example, certain members, like Malaysia, India, Brazil, and Iran, are emerging technologically and can share their expertise to help fulfill the needs of other members to some extent.

The G15 summit in Tehran aimed to strengthen South-South cooperation and help efforts to establish a Global South power bloc to counterbalance the hegemonic ambitions of the old great powers.

The Global South wanted to make its voice heard at the G15 summit in Tehran.

“The United Nations Security Council acts based on the old reactionary regulations dating back to the end of the Second World War and thus has lost its efficiency and credibility,” he said.

“Some of its permanent members are still living in the world of 65 years ago and are expecting other nations to be their subordinates,” Ahmadinejad said.

Ahmadinejad called for the establishment of a new global system, saying the world is yearning for this change.

“In light of the enormous economic, political, scientific, cultural, and intellectual capacities of G15 states, the Islamic Republic of Iran recommends a standing committee comprised of representatives of the current members be established with a mandate to prepare theoretical frameworks for changes and to present appropriate and relevant strategies,” Ahmadinejad stated.

If the member states approve the proposal, the strategies devised could be placed on the G15 agenda for further deliberation, he added.

“The current state of global affairs necessitates a convergence in various international and regional issues more than ever before,” he said.

Therefore, it is recommended that an advisory committee comprised of G15 foreign ministers also be established to help efforts to realize the goals of the G15 through regular meetings, he noted.

“The current challenges the global economy is facing require the reliance on the enormous capabilities and resources of G15 members. Thus, it is proposed that specialized committees in the areas of industry, agriculture, banking, energy, and technology be established to study measures and methods to strengthen relations and expand interactions in the abovementioned areas,” he added.

The proposal for the establishment of a joint trade bank should also be placed on the G15’s agenda, Ahmadinejad said.

“The presence of the world’s major powers on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency has prevented the agency from performing its real duties in disarmament, non-proliferation, and contributing to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“The shadow of threats has now expanded over the world, and the possession and development of nuclear weapons and the threat to use such weapons have almost become the official policies of some major powers,” he added.