Palestine takes over Chairmanship of G-77 The UN’s largest group on “collective economic interests”

This allows it to act more like a full U.N. member among coalition of 134 members

•  The Palestine has taken over the chairmanship of United Nation’s largest coalition group G-77 on rotation basis for the year 2019. The nation is going to chair the bloc of UN’s coalition of 134 developing from Egypt which was previous chair of the bloc.
• Palestine, which enjoys only observer status at the UN, will now lead the largest bloc of developing countries which aims to promote collective economic and political interests at the world body.
• Chairmanship of the G77 will allow Palestinians to gain international recognition, will show that they are an international player capable of talking about anything other than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• The United States, Israel and Australia voted against the move, which won 146 votes in favour. There were 15 abstentions and 29 countries didn’t vote. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin Tuesday wished Palestine success, saying “India is privileged to stand up for the global South’s quest for greater equity and justice”.

Criticism on Palestine’s Chairmanship of G-77

•  US House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Haley indicated USA would block any appointment of a Palestinian official to a senior role at the UN because Washington “does not recognize Palestine” as an independent state.
• Australia did not vote in favor of Palestine stating that Palestinian attempts to seek recognition as a state in international fora are deeply unhelpful to efforts towards a two-state solution,” Australian U.N. Ambassador Gillian Bird told the General Assembly.

What is “Group of 77 and China”?

• The Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing nations, designed to promote its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. The group was founded on 15 June 1964, by the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries” issued at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
• There were 77 founding members of the organization. In 2013 the organization expanded to 134 member countries which include China also. Since China participates in the G77 but does not consider itself to be a member, all official statements are issued in the name of The Group of 77 and China.
•  The group was credited with a common stance against apartheid and for supporting global disarmament.
•  Every member of the G-24, except for Mexico, is also a member of the G77. Although membership in the G-24 is strictly limited to 24 countries, any other member of the G-77 can join discussions.
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Pic courtesy:The Indian Express