Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

The Paris Chapter is one of the permanent institutional structures of the G-77 at the United Nations, which is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing states in the United Nations, and 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.

Background
About the Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

The Paris Chapter of the G77 was created in 1969 in Paris at UNESCO Headquarters. The Paris Chapter's membership of 130 countries consists of countries from four Electoral Groups represented at UNESCO and constitutes the largest single group of delegates to the Organization.

The first chairpersonship was held by Senegal representing the African Electoral Group. The first chairperson was Mr Amadou Mahtar M'Bow who went on to become the Director-General of UNESCO. From the beginning until 1195, chairpersonship was for two years; but since 1996 until now, it has been rotated from electoral group to the next every year. To date, there have been twenty one chairpersons who were, in every case, the Ambassador/Permanent Delegate of his or her country accredited to UNESCO:

• 1969-71 H.E. Mr Amadou-Mabtar M'Bow (Senegal)
• 1972-73 H.E. Mr Gabriel Betancur-Mejia (Colombia)
• 1974-75 H.E. Mr Ahmed Derradji (Algeria)
• 1976-77 H.E. Mr Reza Feiz (Iran)
• 1978-79 H.E. Mr Issac Manda (Zambia)
• 1980-83 H.E. Mr Alfredo Tarre-Murzi (Venezuela) (during 1983 replaced when absent from Paris by H.E. Mr Gonzalo Abad Grijalva (Ecuador) and then H.E. Mr Joseph Antoine Emmanuel Guerrier (Haiti))
• 1984-85 H.E. Mr Aziz-AI-Hajj Ali Haidar (Iraq)
• 1986-87 H.E. Mr Ananda W.P.Guruge (Sri Lanka)
• 1988-89 H.E. Mr Yahya Aliyu (Nigeria)
• 1990-91 H.E. Mr Giullermo Putzeys Alvarez (Guatemala) until June
• 1990 and then H.E. Mrs Ruth Lerner Almea (Venezuela)
• 1992-93 H.E. Mr Musa bin Jafar bin Hassan (Oman)
• 1994-95 H.E. Mine Nina Sibal (India)
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999 H.E ….. (Laos)
• 2000 H.E……. (South Africa)
• 2001 H.E……..(Uruguay)
• 2002 H.E ……..( United Arab Emirates)
• 2003 H.E. Mr Hector K. VILLARROEL (Philippines)
• 2004 H.E. Mr Mame Birame DIOUF (Senegal)
• 2005 H.E. Mr Javier DIAZ CARMONA (Costa Rica)
• 2006 H.E. Mrs Samira Hanna EL-DAHER (Lebanon)
• 2007 H.E. Mr Mohammad Zahir AZIZ (Afghanistan)
• 2008 H.E. Mrs Irène RABENORO (Madagascar)

Structure
About the Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

As in other Chapters there is neither a written constitution nor rules of procedure inscribed. The Chapter functions smoothly on the basis of consensus arrived at through the methods of work and through convention.

The Group consists of the Bureau, the Plenary and Ad hoc Working Groups. The Bureau consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, the President of the four main constituents of the Group, i.e. the Electoral Groups III, IV, Va and Vb, one representative (from each of the above Electoral Groups) elected from among the members of the G77, the immediate Past President of the Group and the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Previously, the Secretary was appointed for a period of three years, but now the term of office has been reduced to one year.

The links between the G77 and China Chapters are loose and their procedures are not uniform. For example, in Geneva, regional groups of the G77 covering Asia, Africa and Latin America meet separately to discuss and endorse decisions of the G77 as a whole. In New York, there is an Asian Caucus that is not confined to the G77 but includes Japan and China.

The move, however, is to steadily strengthen these links and introduce uniform procedures. For example, a uniform tenure of office of one year for all Chairpersons/Co-ordinators of the G77 has been introduced.

The G77 and China does not have the benefit of its own secretariat. In New York, with the support of the PGTF (Perrez Guerrero Trust Fund), one or two representatives of G77 and China governments are delegated to assist the G77 in its work in logistical and organizational areas.

The annual meetings of Chairpersons/Co-coordinators of the various Chapters of G77 have proved to be exceedingly helpful. Until quite recently it was essentially in UNCTAD that the G77 concentrated much of its work. Since UNCTAD 2 in 1968 full-scale Ministerial Meetings of the entire G77 have been held periodically to prepare for the global conference of UNCTAD. Not only did UNCTAD give adequate accommodation in the Secretariat for the G77 office but it also provided secretarial assistance.

In the late 1980s the Paris Chapter requested facilities from UNESCO. In 1993 the Director-General of UNESCO was kind enough to provide the Group with further separate office space and, since 1994, facilities for photocopying, etc.

Composition of the Bureau of G 77 and China
About the Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

Bureau 2007

- President

H.E Mr Mohammad Zahir AZIZ, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Afghanistan to UNESCO

- Vice-Presidents

• ASPAC : H.E. Mrs Bhaswati MUKHERJEE, (INDIA)
• African Group: H.E. Mrs Yolande BIKE, (GABON)
• Arab Group: H.E. Mr Elias Wadih SANBAR, (Palestine)
• GRULAC: H.E. Mrs Laura FAXAS (Dominican Republic)
• Non -Aligned Movement: H.E. Mr Hector–Pastor Hernandez GONZALEZ–PARDO, (Cuba)
• Outgoing Chairperson: H.E.Mrs Samira Hanna EL-DAHER (Lebanon)

- Treasurer

Mrs Preeyanuch JARIYAVIDYANONT, Deputy Permanent Delegate (Thailand)

- Secretary

Monsieur Issa WACHILL, Counselor, Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine

Bureau 2008

- President

H.E Mrs Irène RABENORO, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Madagascar to UNESCO

- Vice-Presidents

• ASPAC: H.E Mr Aman Wirakartakusumah (Indonesia)
• African Group: H.E. Mrs Marie MBIRO KHIMULU (Kenya)
• GRULAC: H.E. Mr Jesus Arnaldo PEREZ (Venezuela)
• Arab Group: H.E. Mr Abdulrazzak AL-NAFISI (Kuwait)
• Non-Aligned Movement: H.E. Hector- Pastor Hernandez GONZALEZ-PARDO (cuba)
• Outgoing Chairperson: H.E. Mr Mohammad Zahir AZIZ (Afghanistan)

- Treasurer

Mrs Orachart SUEBSITH Deputy Permanent Delegate (Thailand)

- Secretary

Mr Issa WACHILL, Counselor, Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine

Ad hoc Working Groups (Thematic Groups)
Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

• Working Group on South-South cooperation in Education, chaired by India (2007, 2008);
• Working Group on South-South cooperation in Culture, chaired by Morocco (2007, 2008);
• Working Group on South-South cooperation in Science and Technology, chaired by Madagascar (2007), then by Ethiopia (2008);
• Working Group on South-South cooperation in Human and Social Sciences, chaired by Uruguay (2007)

Member States
About the Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

1. Afghanistan
2. Algeria
3. Angola
4. Antigua and Barbuda
5. Argentina
6. Bahamas
7. Bahrain
8. Bangladesh
9. Barbados
10. Belize
11. Benin
12. Bhutan
13. Bolivia
14. Bosnia and Herzegovina
15. Botswana
16. Brazil
17. Brunei Darussalam
18. Burkina Faso
19. Burundi
20. Cambodia
21. Cameroon
22. Cape Verde
23. Central African Republic
24. Chad
25. Chile
26. China
27. Colombia
28. Comoros
29. Congo
30. Costa Rica
31. Côte d'Ivoire
32. Cuba
33. Democratic People's Republic of Korea
34. Democratic Republic of the Congo
35. Djibouti
36. Dominica
37. Dominican Republic
38. Ecuador
39. Egypt
40. El Salvador
41. Equatorial Guinea
42. Eritrea
43. Ethiopia
44. Fiji
45. Gabon
46. Gambia
47. Ghana
48. Grenada
49. Guatemala
50. Guinea
51. Guinea-Bissau
52. Guyana
53. Haiti
54. Honduras
55. India
56. Indonesia
57. Iran (Islamic Republic of)
58. Iraq
59 Jamaica
60. Jordan
61. Kenya
62. Kuwait
63. Lao People's Democratic Republic
64. Lebanon
65. Lesotho
66. Liberia
67. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
68. Madagascar
69. Malawi
70. Malaysia
71. Maldives
72. Mali
73. Marshall Islands
74. Mauritania
75. Mauritius
76. Micronesia (Federated States of)
77. Mongolia
78. Morocco
79. Mozambique
80. Myanmar
81. Namibia
82. Nepal
83. Nicaragua
84. Niger
85. Nigeria
86. Oman
87. Pakistan
88. Palestine
89. Panama
90. Papua New Guinea
91. Paraguay
92. Peru
93. Philippines
94. Qatar
95. Rwanda
96. Saint Kitts and Nevis
97. Saint Lucia
98. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
99. Samoa
100. Sao Tome and Principe
101. Saudi Arabia
102. Senegal
103. Seychelles
104. Sierra Leone
105. Singapore
106. Solomon Islands
107. Somalia
108. South Africa
109. Sri Lanka
110. Sudan
111. Suriname
112. Swaziland
113. Syrian Arab Republic
114. Thailand
115. Timor-Leste
116. Togo
117. Tonga
118. Trinidad and Tobago
119. Tunisia
120. Turkmenistan
121. Uganda
122. United Arab Emirates
123. United Republic of Tanzania
124. Uruguay
125. Vanuatu
126. Venezuela
127. Viet Nam
128. Yemen
129. Zambia
130. Zimbabwe

Activities
Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

UNESCO is a specialized agency of United Nations. Created in 1946 it aims to promote international collaboration and world peace under the purview of its mandate in education, science, culture and communication. The Organization is geared to assist, support and implement national efforts of Member States for the elimination of illiteracy and the extension of education and knowledge among people.

The Chapter has always been active in preparing for each session of the General Conference and the Executive Board of UNESCO. Its working relations with the UNESCO Secretariat are extremely cordial. The Group has constantly guided its membership on important issues so as to reach a consensual position to help the smooth functioning of the Organization. As regards the Medium-Term Programme and Budget for the 1986-87 bienniums, for instance, the Paris Chapter advised its membership as follows:

The Delegations of the Group of 77 and China should always bear in mind the necessary complementarities between various forms of bilateral and multilateral co-operation so as to promote development and refute allegations which portray international co-operation within the United Nations system as being opposed to bilateral co-operation whereas it would only be judicious to harmonize both of them. The same could be said of the necessary balance between reflection and action on which consensus was reached by the Board.

The 1984-90 period was crucial for UNESCO, mainly because during this period there was tension generated due to the withdrawal of three countries from the Organization, and fear was expressed that more countries would follow. This withdrawal adversely affected the Programme and Budget of UNESCO and reduced its programme in developing countries. The G77 and China associated itself closely with the situation and advised its membership to work more closely with competent NGOs to implement UNESCO’s programmes. The Group made its members aware of the classification of UNESCO programme activities according to three established priorities, in view of the withdrawal of a Member State and the notice of withdrawal given by two other Member States. At the same time it encouraged the membership not to adopt a passive or resigned attitude, but on the contrary to work with determination and confidence to make use of their freedom of appreciation and to commit themselves firmly to their goals.

By virtue of its large and wide-ranging membership covering four electoral groups almost in their entirety the G77 and China functions as a major consultative group offering insight on issues which periodically arise and considers and co-ordinates views and options which reflect thinking from all parts of the world. It has contributed studies and dialogue and from time to time publishes its views on major issues discussed in various United Nations Organizations views which at times present viable alternatives. For instance, during the earthquake catastrophe in Mexico, the G77 and China co-ordinated with members of the United Nations staff associations and had collection boxes in its Organizations for material support and financial aid. The Group also made a bold statement during the Falklands conflict and when Israel annexed the Golan Heights. With regard to the Falklands conflict it demanded an immediate cease-fire and the urgent adoption of measures leading to a just and lasting solution to the conflict based on respect of the principle of territorial integrity and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

The Paris Chapter has always gone beyond being merely an interest group only looking after its own to one which helps to sustain the mandate of UNESCO and the high quality of its programme as well as efficient and effective operations. Even with the formidable position it occupies and the power and strength it has, the Group has never exercised a ‘tyranny of the majority’ and has rarely used its collective voting power. The Group a1ways recognized the fact that the decisions could only be acted upon with the support of the industrialized nations.

The activities of the Paris Chapter are mainly carried out within the fields of competence of UNESCO and have had a great impact on peace-building in the world through the means of education, science, culture and communication.

The Executive board of UNESCO, at its 176th session, urges the Director General to create a South South cooperation fund in the field of education. The terms of reference of this fund was adopted by the plenary of the G77 and China, Paris Chapter, in December 2008.

Meetings
Group of 77 and China – UNESCO Chapter

• Monthly meetings
• Launch meeting of the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre (ISTIC) for South-South Cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 22-24 May 2008

DOCUMENTS
Background

- Joint Declaration Of The Seventy-Seven Developing Countries - Geneva - June 1964

- First Ministerial Meeting Of The Group Of 77: Charter Of Algiers - October 1967

- Ministerial Declaration Adopted On The Occasion Of The Thirtieth Anniversary Of The Group Of 77 - New York - June 1994

- G77 and China and Non-Aligned Movement joint statement on the South-South cooperation fund for education, 180th session of the Executive Board (September-October 2008)

We have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement in UNESCO, regarding the UNESCO South-South Cooperation Programme/Fund in Education, established at the initiative of the G-77 and China and pursuant to Executive Board Decision 176 EX/Decision 5 (II).

The Group of 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement in UNESCO jointly attach great importance to the establishment of the South-South cooperation fund for education that facilitates the implementation of a cooperation programme in education, with the objective of enabling developing countries to meet the objectives of the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals relating to literacy, seeking to promote interregional and/or intra-regional cooperation in promoting the EFA and MDG goals. In this regard, The Group of 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement call upon UNESCO to fulfil the operationalization of the South-South cooperation fund for education.

We reaffirm that education is at the heart of UNESCO’s, with education for all (EFA) and its six Dakar goals as an agreed priority, for the attainment of which UNESCO must exercise full leadership as the lead international coordinating agency of the global EFA movement addressing all educational levels and aimed at promoting quality education. For achieving EFA and Dakar commitments by 2015, especially literacy, the most neglected of the EFA goals, is vital to ensure adequate finances. We further emphasize the need to increasingly mobilize aid to education, urging donors to make long term and predictable aid commitments, bearing in mind that without accelerated progress towards education for all, national and internationally agreed targets for poverty eradication would be missed, and inequalities between countries and within societies would widen. We express our concern about the annual financing gap of 5 billion dollars for EFA preventing the progress of that programme, especially in those developing countries that are lagging behind in pursuit of EFA.

We reaffirm the crucial importance, particularly for developing countries, of South-South cooperation to meet the Dakar goals and the MDG relating to literacy, as well as the triangular North-South-South cooperation, reaffirming also that South-South cooperation is not a substitute for, but is complementary to, North-South cooperation. The Group of 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement expect that UNESCO finally operationalizes the South-South cooperation fund for education in support to the efforts of developing countries. We are ready to continue working on this issue with a constructive approach and a spirit of cooperation, vis-à-vis the establishment of a mechanism for selecting pilot projects. Likewise, in seeking coherence in the UN development activities, the Group of 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement encourage UNESCO to continue making adequate efforts to provide for the enhancement of South/South and triangular cooperation within the system, among others to take concrete measures to further strengthen the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation as a separate entity and a focal point for South-South Cooperation within the United Nations System.

- G77 and China and Non-Aligned Movement joint concerning educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories during the 180th session of the Executive Board (September-October 2008)

The Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China in UNESCO appreciate the updated information provided by the Secretariat on the implementation of 34 c/resolution 58 and 179 EX/decision 39 concerning educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories.

We solemnly commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Palestinian Al-Nakba this year, reaffirm our solidarity with the Palestinian people on this occasion and pledge to redouble our collective efforts for the just and peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine in all its aspects.

The Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China encourage the continued assistance provided by UNESCO to the Palestinian people and its institutions, through different educational and cultural projects. The work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and peace groups has also been very important.

However, during the period under review, in a context of continued difficult socio-economic conditions for Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, educational services were often disrupted, and the situation, particularly in Gaza, has remained very difficult. In Gaza, the delivery of educational services to children and youth living and studying there became increasingly challenging for both the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, as well as for United Nations agencies providing humanitarian assistance, as reflected in document 180 EX/44.

We express our deep concern over the serious deterioration of the situation on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the Syrian Golan, and particularly in the Gaza Strip, which hinders safe access to the education system and safeguarding of cultural heritage.

The members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China in UNESCO would also like to emphasize that there should be no impediments which prevent schoolchildren and students of Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories from being an integral part of their social and cultural fabric and from fully exercising their right to education, as stated in Executive Board decisions 177 EX/62 and 179 EX/39 Add.

We affirm the importance of safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage and protecting the educational institutions in Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan and especially in Gaza, on the basis of the relevant resolutions and decisions of UNESCO and the United Nations.

The Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China in UNESCO call upon the parties to urgently resume peace negotiations on all tracks on the basis of international law and relevant UN resolutions, in order to comprehensively resolve the conflict under consequences the Palestinian people have continuously suffered during sixty years and more recently the peoples in the other occupied Arab territories. We exhort the Executive Board to organize an information meeting as soon as possible to debate the latest developments on Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan and especially Gaza, within UNESCO’s competences, particularly in the field of education.

We hope that other issues concerning the safeguarding and preservation of the cultural and natural heritage and educational services in Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories will be dealt with in the same spirit.