PORLAMAR, Venezuela, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday during the opening of the second summit of Africa-South American (ASA) that the South-South union between South American and African regions will contribute to the development of both.

"Our relationships have a great potential for success that will realize the long-awaited development of our two continents," said the South African leader.

Zuma warned that failure to take into account the link between the regions, the global economic crisis that has affected millions of poor people worldwide will bring worse consequences.

He called for forging closer ties and a global multilateral system of benefit to all, enabling strict controls in banking system.

Other topics of interest to the South African delegation are climate change, human rights and non-proliferation and disarmament, according to him.

The second Africa-South America summit started Saturday in Porlamar, the main town on the island of Margarita, Venezuela, with participation of over 20 heads of state and government from South America and Africa.

Under the theme "Closing the gap, opening up opportunities", the summit is aimed at boosting the cooperation of the participant countries, facing the food, financial, economic and environmental crisis, and strengthening agreements and plans of action started in 2006 at the first Summit, held in Abuja, Nigeria.