UN appoints Palestine as Chair of G77

“Multilateral diplomacy took over with broad support from members for a resolution allowing the elected presidency of the G77 and China to carry out its duties effectively,” Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour said.

During last month’s meeting of world leaders at the 193-member General Assembly, members of the G77 formalized their decision to give Palestinians the Chair, in a boost to President Mahmoud Abbas’ push for statehood and full UN membership.

Beginning in 2019, Palestine will assume the Presidency of the Group of 77 and as such will be able to co-sponsor proposals and amendments, make statements, raise procedural motions and give rights of reply.

The measure does not, however, change the status of the Palestinians, considered a non-member observer state at the UN without voting rights at the General Assembly.

The G77 was established in 1964 by 77 developing countries at a UN conference in Geneva. According to its website, the group aims to allow developing countries to articulate collective economic interests and boost their leverage within the UN system./.