Backgrounder: Group of 77

The G77, grouping 134 countries, was established in 1964 for the purpose of boosting economic cooperation among developing countries, promoting the establishment of a new world economic order and accelerating the economic and social development of developing countries.

Without a formal organizational constitution, the group is a loose negotiation mechanism for developing countries.

In the initial period following its establishment, the group was mainly dedicated to maintaining national independence and sovereignty of developing countries, fighting for their economic interests and coordinating among its members the stances on important issues involving common interest.

Increasingly aware of the importance of solidarity and cooperation over the recent years, member countries of the group have made repeated calls for strengthening ties among them.

Striving to speak out in one voice to the rest of the world, the group has demanded to participate in the world's economic affairs on an equal footing, stressed the need for strengthening coordination and cooperation in international financial institutions, and put forward detailed proposals on the reform of international financial system and the establishment of multilateral trade system.

China is not a member of the group, but it has always supported the righteous claims and demands of the group. Since the 1970s, the relations between China and G77 have achieved greater development and a new cooperation prototype of G77 plus China has been formed. Currently, China is attending all conferences of the group and taking part in all of its activities.

The first South Summit was held in Havana, capital of Cuba, in April 2000, which gathered representatives from 122 member countries of the group and China.