UN gives thumbs-up for Palestine to lead Group of 77
The UN General Assembly is granting Palestine additional membership rights during its one-year chairmanship of the Group of 77.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian leaders are pleased with the UN General Assembly's recent vote to enhance Palestine's observer-state UN status, allowing it to head the Group of 77 and China (G-77) next year.
The Palestinian UN delegation will work with the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in the next two months to complete all the preparations and arrangements for Palestine to assume the G-77's rotating presidency. Palestine will be heading the largest intergovernmental bloc of UN member-states for one year effective Jan. 1. The G-77's initial membership of 77 developing countries has grown over the years to 134. Its purpose is to defend the economic, environmental and developmental interests of its members. It aims to strengthen their leverage with major powers such as the United States or European countries.
