Leaders from China, Brazil, India, South Africa and Mexico pledged in Scottish resort of Gleneagles on Thursday to strengthen cooperation and seek common development in the developing countries.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki and Mexican President Vicente Fox discussed issues of mutual concern at a meeting held before they met with leaders of the Group of Eight (G8).

In his address to the meeting, President Hu said it is a top priority for the developing countries to eliminate poverty, seek development and improve people's standards of living.

In order to narrow the gap between the North and South and seek common development in the developing countries, Hu said the five countries should stay united and cooperate in safeguarding the common interests of the developing countries and properly handle existing disputes in the spirit of seeking common ground while shelving differences.

He said the developing countries should promote South-South cooperation with innovative thinking and facilitate North-South dialogue by making the best of the existing advantages.

The Chinese president also voiced support for Africa's new partnership plan and Brazilian President Lula's proposals to eliminate poverty and hunger.

He urged world leaders to resolve the re-rising of trade protectionism across the globe, with which the developing counties are concerned and, called for practical and effective cooperation in handling global climate change.

The other four leaders also addressed the meeting. They voiced their respective concerns and made proposals on common development.

A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting reaffirmed the role of South-South cooperation "in the context of multi- lateralism and the need to strengthen it."

"We are fully committed to close coordination and cooperation to meet the challenges arising from globalization, and to promote the common interest of developing countries by striving to more effectively bring together our priorities and international engagement strategies," said the statement.

The statement also urged the removal of trade barriers to products and services, as it is "essential" for development, the fight against poverty and the protection of the environment.

Source: Xinhua