S. Africa wants bigger say for G77+China in international organizations

South Africa on Monday urged developing countries to push through the G77+China, for the reform of the global governance system, in particular, for the enhanced voice and representation in the decision-making structures of international organisations.

"By forging alliances between countries of the South, and by leveraging the South's collective bargaining power and negotiating capacity across many different negotiation tracks in the UN system, the G77+China has ensured that its member states collectively work together to articulate and pursue the collective and individual economic and social interests of developing countries," said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

In early January 2015, South Africa took over the reigns as Chair of the G77+China, the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United G77+China provides the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development.

South Africa's tenure comes during a year in which various envisaged development processes would demand that the Group remains more steadfast in promoting the interests of developing countries, Nkoana-Mashabane said at a press briefing on international developments in Pretoria.

The year of 2015 is the year in which the United Nations celebrates its 70th Anniversary and it is also the year in which the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be reached.

The MDGs, adopted in 2000, set bold targets for development and were key in forging a global cooperation framework for development.

"Foremost in the efforts of the UN member states and the G77+ China in particular this year will be the evaluation of the progress made in reaching these goals and the negotiation of the post-2015 development agenda," Nkoana-Mashabane said.

The G77+China has played a critical role in promoting South- South Cooperation for development as well as successfully strengthening economic and technical cooperation among developing countries, she said.

The G77+China remains a champion for a more legitimate and accountable global system of governance, but for far too long, developing countries have not been at the centre of global standard-setting and decision-making processes that impact on their development, Nkoana-Mashabane added. Endi