UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the “historic leadership” of Palestine, which assumed the chairmanship of G77, the global body’s largest inter-governmental organisation of developing countries, including India.

Egypt was the previous chair of the Group of 77 (G77), a coalition of 134 members, along with China, which aligns itself with the bloc.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin wished Palestine success, saying “India is privileged to stand up for the global South’s quest for greater equity and justice”.

In his remarks, UN chief Guterres said: “Palestine and its citizens have first-hand experience of some of the most challenging and dramatic global issues we face.”

The decision to elect Palestine as the 2019 chair of the G77 was taken in September by foreign ministers of the member states.

A month later, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution that enabled Palestine - a non-member observer state at the world body - additional privileges and rights, such as participating in conferences held under its auspices, for the duration of its role as G77 chair.

As multilateralism continues to come under “intense pressure from many sides”, the UN chief underscored the importance of the G77 and China’s continued support. “The Group of 77 and China have demonstrated strong leadership throughout 2018 and proved once again to be a central force in demonstrating that multilateralism is the only way to address our shared challenges,” Guterres said.

Akbaruddin said in a tweet: “Wishing Ambassador Riad Mansoor of Palestine success following his taking over as the chair of the Group of 77 at the UN in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas.”

Abbas said Palestine would use its chairmanship to preserve the multilateral international order and strengthen ties with its UN partners.

Abbas stated that under the guiding principle of “unity in diversity”, the G77 focuses on the least developed countries, small island developing states, middle income countries and peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, “so as to ensure no one is left behind”.

Guterres credited the group and the prior Egyptian presidency as having been “at the heart” of the progress made in challenges that ranged from climate change to rising inequality.

He urged the G77 to bring “solutions and commitments” to, among others, the climate summit in September and enumerated other upcoming events in need of the bloc’s support.

G77, established in 1964 by 77 developing countries in Geneva, claims to provide the means for countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the UN system and promote South-South cooperation for development.