Annan lauds efforts of Group of 77 as Iran takes over its chairmanship

As the chairmanship of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China was turned over last week from Nigeria to Iran, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the Group would be at the center of all United Nations efforts to respond to globalization while pursuing environmentally sustainable growth.

According to the UN news center Internet website, the Secretary-General made the remarks at a ceremonial meeting to mark the formal turnover of the chairmanship of the New York Chapter of the G-77. He also praised the Group's work throughout the past year under the leadership of Ambassador Chief Arthur Mbanefo in keeping development issues high on the UN agenda.

In this vein, he signaled the Group's important contributions to the special Assembly sessions on women and on social development held last June.

Noting that the UN calendar for 2001 offered no shortage of opportunities to further advance the cause of development, the Secretary-General expressed confidence in the role the Group would play under the leadership of Kamal Kharrazi, the Foreign Minister of Iran. "Issues of sustainable development are still not getting the attention they deserve," the Secretary-General said. "Under Iranian leadership I am sure they will."