India has called for a greater voice and representation for developing countries at the 50th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri delivered India's national statement at the meeting in New York, highlighting the continued relevance of the G77 in advancing "people-centric and development-oriented multilateralism". The meeting was held on the theme "The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism".
The Group of 77 is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations, providing a platform for countries of the Global South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests. Established on June 15, 1964, by 77 developing countries, the grouping has since expanded to 134 countries. Despite its expansion, the original name has been retained due to its historical significance.
India's call for greater representation and a stronger role for developing countries came as the G77 marked its 50th annual ministerial meeting. The focus of the meeting was on the future of multilateralism and the role of the Global South in shaping the international system. Misri also stressed the urgency of UN Security Council reform to ensure greater voice and representation for developing countries.
The G77 functions through chapters with broadly similar arrangements concerning membership, decision-making, and working methods. A chairman acts as the spokesperson and coordinates the group's actions in each chapter. The chairmanship rotates on a regional basis among Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean and is held for one year in the different chapters.
For 2026, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay holds the chairmanship of the G77 in New York. The Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs is convened at the beginning of the regular session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The grouping also convenes sectoral ministerial meetings in areas of cooperation and development and special ministerial meetings when required.
The South Summit is the supreme decision-making body of the G77. The first South Summit was held in Havana, Cuba, from April 10 to 14, 2000, while the second was held in Doha, Qatar, from June 12 to 16, 2005. India's call for collective efforts to enable the Global South to move "from being rule-takers to rule-shapers" was seen as a significant contribution to the discussions.
Misri highlighted the need for the Global South to play a more active role in shaping the international system. The G77 provides a platform for countries to promote South-South cooperation for development. The grouping has chapters with liaison offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Paris, Rome, and Vienna, while the Group of 24 operates in Washington, D.C., in connection with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Key points
- India calls for urgent UN Security Council reform to ensure greater voice and representation for developing countries.
- The Group of 77 is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations.
- India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri delivered the national statement at the 50th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77.
