'We must believe in the future'

We must believe in the future, and we must believe in the role we all have to play in building it. Our foremost duty must be to improve the levels of political, economic and social lives of our nations.

'The More Unified You Are, the Stronger You Are'

UNITED NATIONS -  Forty years ago, some G-77 members had not yet gained independence. The cold war seemed a permanent feature of the global landscape. And three years ago, few of us anticipated the events of 11 September 2001, or the changes that have followed them. During these 40 years, the Group of-77 and its individual members have made key contributions in advancing the global development agenda.

Championing the Cause of the Vulnerables
By Anwarul K. Chowdhury

UN Under-Secretary-General for the Least Developed Countries Within six years of the formation of the developing countries caucus of the Group of 77, the United Nations recognized in 1971 the special vulnerability of the 25 weakest among them, categorizing them as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In 2004 that number stands doubled to 50, thirtyfour of which are in Africa.

Solidarity Now Means Know-How

It is an honour and a pleasure for me to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Group of 77.

The G-77 was founded on the twin goals of interdependence and solidarity. Both goals are of greater importance today than ever before. Interdependence binds together the economic, social, environmental and political fates of all countries on the planet. It applies, of course, not only among countries of the South but also between countries of the North and the South. In this context of interdependence, however, a spirit of solidarity among developing countries and increased South-South co-operation are necessary to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions

Annan's Proposal to Strengthen G-77

UNITED NATIONS - -- How could the Group of 77 be strengthened to play a more effective role in negotiations with the North?

Speaking at a UN luncheon on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Group of 77, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: "Allow me to suggest two ideas, both intended to help the Group speak with a more effective voice".

A G-77 Goal in the Next Decade
Thalif Dean

UNITED NATIONS - Speaking on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Group of 77, Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser of Qatar said: "This is a new opportunity for the Group of 77 to reaffirm its cohesion and political unity in a challenging international environment and to position itself as one of the principal actors on the multilateral stage."

A Second Coming for South-South Cooperation
Mark Malloch Brown

Now celebrating 40 years, the Group of 77 can look back on many of its achievements with pride. One contribution of the Group since the 1970s has been its advocacy of South-South approaches to development. The philosophy of self-reliance, promoted by Mahatma Gandhi, Julius Nyerere and others, won many followers. The ethos it inspired produced investments in education, encouraged the establishment of trade between developing countries and industrialization to substitute imports with domestic products.

Meeting the Millenium Development Goals
By Djibril Diallo

For four decades, the Group of 77 has been a consistent and strong voice for the poor, working for equity and justice to strengthen international trade relations, financing for development and poverty reduction. The Group of 77 has been unwavering in its support of developing countries, and I would like to congratulate it on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

G-77 Chapters Urge Rich Nations to Meet Their AID Pledges

The chairmen/coordinators of the six chapters of the Group of 77-- based in New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Vienna, Rome and Washington DC-- met in Geneva to assess their future strategy in helping the world's developing nations to build "a just and equitable world economic system."

Recomendations from the South Centre

New Platform, New Methods .

After the setbacks of the globalization process in the 1990's the G-77 seems posed now to take up a new protagonism, provided that it overcomes its own deficiencies and frustrations, warns the Geneva-based South Institute, which is led by former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The full text of this document, of which the Journal publishes its recomendations, is to be found at www.southcentre.org.

Ministerial Declaration Decries Unilateralism of Rich Nations

UNITED NATIONS - A draft ministerial declaration of the Group of 77 expresses "deep concern" about the increased unilateralism of industrial nations who continue to take decisions-- that affect the world economy-- outside the multilateral framework of the UN system.

Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund Seeks Expansion of Resources

UNITED NATIONS - The 17-year-old Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund (PGTF), one of the most successful funding mechanisms for South-South development projects operating under the umbrella of the Group of 77, has financed projects benefiting over 100 developing countries.