Palestine assumes chairmanship of largest bloc of nations at UN
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UNITED NATIONS – Acknowledging “a long road ahead” on the United Nations ambitious agenda, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed on Tuesday “the historic leadership of the state of Palestine” as the new Chairman of the Group of 77 (developing countries).
“Palestine and its citizens have first-hand experience of some of the most challenging and dramatic global issues we face” Guterres said in his remarks at the annual ceremony for handover of the rotating Chairmanship of the G77.
Egypt was the previous chair of the bloc, a coalition of 134 developing countries, along with China.
Taking charge of Group of 77, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas slammed Israel’s occupation of the state of Palestine, and condemned ‘terrorism in all its forms’.
In a speech at the UN headquarters in New York, Abbas called the task of leading the Group of 77 “a great responsibility.”
“I am pleased to take over today the chairmanship of the Group of 77 on behalf of the Palestinian people and the State of Palestine,” he said, addressing the bloc. “It is a great responsibility that the State of Palestine will bear with complete humility, sincerity and dedication.”
The decision to elect Palestine as 2019 Chair of the G77 was taken in September 2018 by the foreign ministers of the Groups’ member States.
A month later, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution that enabled Palestine – a non-member Observer State at the world body – additional privileges and rights, such participating in international conferences held under its auspices, for the duration of its role as G77 Chair.
“You are well-placed to take up the chairmanship of this important group of countries,” Secretary-General Guterres said on Monday.
As multilateralism continues to come under “intense pressure from many sides”, the UN chief underscored the importance of the G77 and China’s continued support.
“The Group of 77 and China has demonstrated strong leadership throughout 2018 and proved once again to be a central force in demonstrating that multilateralism is the only way to address our shared challenges,” Guterres said.
