Issue
No. 572/573, 1-31 Jul 2014
Summit marks G77’s 50th anniversary
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G77
summit celebrates Group’s 50th anniversary
The
Group of 77 was formed on 15 June 1964 during the first session of
the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Last 14-15 June,
the Group celebrated its 50th anniversary at an Extraordinary Summit
held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and hosted by Bolivian President Evo
Morales, whose country is currently the Chair of the G77 and China.
Below is an overview of the summit by Martin Khor.
Summit
declaration a worthy marking of 50th anniversary
The
Santa Cruz summit declaration sets forth the G77’s position on a broad
range of issues that have a bearing on the Group’s quest for economic
and social development. In this and the following three articles,
Martin Khor steers a course through the main contents of the
declaration. This first article looks at the provisions on the overall
development context and aspects of the national development effort.
Summit
declaration on national development, South-South cooperation
The
G77 declaration also addresses questions of agriculture and industrialization,
and reaffirms the importance of strengthening South-South cooperation.
by
Martin Khor
G77
declaration addresses “global challenges”
Major
economic, social and environmental issues of concern on the international
front are dealt with in the G77 summit declaration as well.
by
Martin Khor
Summit
addresses MDGs, SDGs and post-2015 development agenda
In
their declaration, the G77 leaders put forward their stance on the
sustainable development goals and the post-2015 development agenda
which are being discussed at the UN.
by
Martin Khor
TDB
celebrates UNCTAD’s 50th anniversary
As
it was during the inaugural session of the UN Conference on Trade
and Development that the G77 came into being, June also marked the
50th anniversary of UNCTAD. The UN body’s Trade and Development Board
commemorated the occasion with a special session where speakers reflected
on how UNCTAD had “strived to build a world economy that serves the
interests of all”, and looked at the development challenges confronting
it 50 years on.
by
Kanaga Raja
Experts
debate globalization and inequality
A
recent discussion session convened by UNCTAD saw development experts
consider policy practices to combat poverty and inequality, as well
as the need for policy space to implement these strategies at the
national level.
by
Kanaga Raja
TF
legal texts adopted, but still no consensus on protocol
WTO
member states have approved the text of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
but remain at odds over the provisions of the legal instrument that
would give effect to the treaty.
by
Kanaga Raja
Africa
under “unprecedented” pressure from rich countries
The
US and the EU have exerted “pressure and bulldozing” on African countries
in a bid to expedite the entry into force of the trade facilitation
accord at the WTO.
by
Ravi Kanth Devarakonda
US
Supreme Court “validates” vulture fund activities
A
recent US Supreme Court decision on a case involving Argentine sovereign
debt threatens to undermine not only Argentina’s economic well-being
but also, more broadly, prospects for restructuring poor countries’
debts.
by
Carey L. Biron
