Montevideo, January 1st - Uruguay assumes today the presidency of the Group of 77 and China, a coalition that brings together 134 developing countries at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The G77 presidency rotates regionally every year, and this time it is Latin America and the Caribbean's turn, who agreed for the South American country to represent them as coordinator and spokesperson.
According to its official definition, the Group "provides the means for Southern countries to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and improve their capacity for joint negotiation."
Specifically concerning important international economic issues within the UN system, they promote South-South cooperation for development.
Uruguay will lead the group, focusing on challenges such as inequality, conflicts, and climate crises, as well as respect for multilateralism, according to Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin.
The G77 member countries represent four-fifths of the world population, two-thirds of the UN members, half of the global trade in goods, and one-third of the trade in services.
It includes the three most populous countries in the world (India, China, and Indonesia) and small island states with less than 100,000 inhabitants.
Uruguay will have the responsibility to lead the articulation of economic interests and negotiations on key global issues for the Global South.
It will be a year of significant challenges for the diplomacy of this small country.
In March, Uruguay will assume the pro tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), at a complicated time when threats and military aggressions are being deployed in the region from Washington.
In CELAC, it will lead dialogue with the European Union with a roadmap focused on peace, stability, trade, energy transition, health, and digital transformation.
Uruguay also leads the Brasília Consensus, centered on South American integration.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)
