Algeria's Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, led the country's delegation at the 50th meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 (G77) and China, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During the meeting, Attaf reaffirmed Algeria's commitment to South-South cooperation and a more equitable international order. He highlighted the significance of the G77+China in the current international landscape, marked by profound changes.
Attaf emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity among Southern countries, stressing that these principles are more necessary than ever. He reiterated Algeria's commitment to defending the right of peoples to development and building a more just and inclusive international order. The Minister of State also advocated for a more equitable multilateralism that addresses the structural imbalances in the international financing system and ensures Southern countries' access to resources and technologies.
The Algerian minister called for the international community to prevent the digital revolution and artificial intelligence from becoming a new source of North-South fracture. He stressed the need to harness technology for development and people's empowerment, within an inclusive international governance framework and more equitable access to knowledge. This approach aims to enable Southern countries to fully participate in global economic and technological transformations.
On climate change, Attaf reaffirmed Algeria's commitment to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, acknowledging that developing countries, particularly in Africa, bear the brunt of climate change consequences despite their limited contribution to the phenomenon. He urged the acceleration of climate action financing, technology transfer, and support for the most vulnerable countries.
The G77+China meeting provided a platform for Algeria to reiterate its commitment to South-South cooperation and the principles of the 1967 Algiers Charter, which emphasizes the importance of Southern countries' unity and solidarity. The Charter was adopted during the first ministerial meeting of the G77 in Algiers in 1967. Algeria's stance reflects its determination to promote a more equitable international order and defend the interests of Southern countries.
Selma Malika Haddadi, Vice-President of the African Union Commission, also participated in the meeting, emphasizing the need to institutionalize South-South and triangular cooperation to deepen economic interdependence and leverage the comparative advantages shared by Southern countries. Haddadi, who is also Vice-President of the High-Level Dialogue of the African Peer Review Mechanism, highlighted the importance of strengthening solidarity among Southern countries.
Through its active engagement in the G77+China, Algeria seeks to strengthen solidarity among Southern countries and promote a more equitable international order. The country's commitment to South-South cooperation and its advocacy for a more inclusive multilateralism reflect its determination to contribute to a more just and equitable world. Algeria's efforts aim to ensure that the voices of Southern countries are heard and their interests are represented on the global stage.
Key points
- Algeria reaffirms its commitment to South-South cooperation and a more equitable international order at the 50th G77+China meeting in New York.
