"The slow pace of the Doha Round of trade negotiations within the World Trade Organisation is striking demonstration of the indifference on the part of the developed world to the welfare of the developing world," Jagdeo told members of the Rio Group.

Warning that "social discontent will continue to breed and endanger the stability of our community" if poor health care, access to education and rampant poverty continued, the Guyanese leader called on the Latin American grouping to put aside other differences and pressure the developed world to focus on development.

"Our group should, therefore, seek, despite whatever differences we may have to find common grounds from which we can fight for the interest of the poor and underprivileged of our countries," Jagdeo, a Russian-trained economist, told the gathering that included Brazil's President, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and Chile's President, Michele Bachelet.

Top trade negotiators of the United States, European Union, Brazil and India were this weekend due to hold low-keyed bilateral talks in London and Geneva to discuss the trade talks that have stalled since last July over demands by Brazil and India that the Doha Round should focus on agriculture with safeguards for developing countries manufacturers.

But Jagdeo, whose country hands over the chairmanship of the Rio Group to the Dominican Republic at the end of the summit, cautioned negotiators that "no agreement is worse than any agreement.

"The experience thus far has shown that the more powerful states are concerned only with preserving their interests. Their triumph once again would be a calamity for developing countries such as ours," he added.

Jagdeo recommended that the Rio Group establish a quasi-cabinet with specific presidential responsibilities aimed at ensuring "optimal and sustained representation."

The working session begins Saturday morning, by which time Dominican Republic's President, Leonel Fernandez; the President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya and Panama's President, Martin Torrijos are expected to arrive.

The opening session was shortened because Fernandez or his representative was not here to deliver remarks, but the Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana, called on delegates to ensure that the Rio Group to "avoid this mechanism being turned into a simple witness" and avoid duplication with other organisations.