Group of 77 and China

The Group of 77 and China is the largest coalition of developing countries in the world.Its objective is to promote their economic and social interests inside all institutions of the United Nations System. This coalition was originally founded by 77 nations but its membership has grown and,at this moment, it is formed by 132 developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The evolution, character and history of the Group of 77 are intimately linked with those of the United Nations. All the countries that are members of the Group have pledged themselves to promote and respect the principles and purposes of the Unted Nations Charter.

The Group was created on June 15th. 1964, when a coalition of 77 states adopted a "Joint Declaration of Seventy-Seven Developing Countries" at the conclusion of the First United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 1). That declaration was the first step in the still ongoing process to promote economic and social development in the developing nations both through domestic efforts and through adequate international action and support. Furthermore, that ground-breaking declaration prompted the call for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) in the 1970's.

The activities of the Group has vastly expanded since UNCTAD 1. In October 1967 the Group received its original mandate at its First Ministerial Meeting with the adoption of the "Charter of Algiers". That mandate was further enhanced in May 1981 with the adoption of the "Caracas Programme of Action" which has an integrated programme for South-South cooperation.

Similarly, the membership of the Group grew over the years, as a large number of developing nations achieved independence and joined the United Nations. Thus during the last decades, the Group of 77 and China has chapters in the seven headquarters of the United Nations: New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Rome, Paris, Vienna and Washington DC. The Chairman of the New York chapter acts as General Coordinator and Chairman of the Group.

Recently, the Group, under the Chairmanship of Costa Rica, adopted an enhanced Caracas Plan of Action at a San Jose Conference in January 1997 in preparation to face the new challenges of economic globalization and liberalization in order to find new ways towards development and South-South cooperation. Thus, the Group of 77 and China continues to be the leading voice of the developing world.

At this moment, the Group, now under the Chairmanship of Tanzania, is preparing the implementation plans and mechanism for an accelerated cooperation in South-South trade, finance and investment.

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