UN chief commends G77 for upholding multilateralism

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday commended the Group of 77 (G77) as "a champion of multilateralism."

"By its very essence, the G77 has been a champion of multilateralism. You have defended it and acted to make it stronger -- pushing for multilateral solutions to solve common challenges and to promote a fair globalization," he told G77 foreign ministers, who are meeting on the margins of the General Assembly.

He deplored the fact that multilateralism is under fire precisely when it is needed most.

Guterres asked for efforts for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "It is our contribution to that fair globalization that we need."

He thanked the G77 for its strong support of his UN reform agenda.

In many ways, the central objectives of UN reform reflect arguments that the G77 has been making for years: the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, the alignment of international policy and national priorities, he said.

Guterres asked developed countries to continue to support developing countries. He also asked for efforts to improve developing countries' voice and participation in global economic governance.

At the same time, he said, the international community must take much more effective steps to fight illicit flows of capital, money laundering and tax evasion, which continue to drain vital resources from the developing world.

There is more money flowing from Africa into the North, because of these illicit flows of capital than the money that comes from the North to Africa in official development aid, he said. "This is something that is a universal obligation to tackle."

He cautioned that South-South cooperation, which is vital, is not to replace North-South cooperation -- or not to reduce the commitments and obligations of countries of the North.

The G77 is a coalition of developing countries at the United Nations. Its name derived from 77 founding members, but its membership has grown significantly to more than 130.