Rwanda to lead largest UN coalition of developing countries

Rwanda will chair the Group of 77 (G77), the largest coalition of developing countries at the United Nations, in 2027, taking over the leadership of the 134-member group from Uruguay.

Rwanda formally accepted the chairmanship on Friday, September 25, during the 50th G77 Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs in New York, held under the theme “The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism”, on the sidelines of the 81 session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe pledged to strengthen coordination among member states, and advance the group’s agenda and defend the collective interests of developing countries.

“Rwanda accepts the nomination of 134 developing countries to chair the Group of 77 for the coming year 2027,” he said.

The Group of 77 and China is the largest grouping of developing countries in the UN, providing a platform for members to coordinate positions and promote their collective interests on economic development and other major issues in the multilateral system.

Its 134 members represent more than 80 per cent of the world’s population.

Established in 1964 by 77 developing countries, the G77 has grown into an important negotiating bloc on issues including international economic cooperation, trade, climate change and development. Its collective positions give developing countries a stronger voice in global negotiations.

Rwanda, which was among the founding members of the group, will take over the chairmanship from Uruguay, which is leading the G77 in 2026.

“As a founding member of the Group of 77 in Geneva on 15 June 1964, Rwanda has always been a strong supporter of the vision, principles and objectives of the Group of 77 with a deep sense of commitment to the cause of the South,” Nduhungirehe said.

He said Rwanda understood the challenges facing developing countries in pursuing economic independence and development.

“As an African nation, we understand fully the basis for developing countries’ struggles to achieve economic independence and development, especially in these trial times,” he said.

Nduhungirehe pledged that Rwanda would work closely with member states, the G77 Secretariat and partners during its tenure.

“Despite these challenging times, we are committed to work very closely with all delegations and our small but efficient G77 Secretariat, as well as with our partners,” he said.

He also pledged to carry out Rwanda’s responsibilities with integrity and in line with the trust placed in it by member states.

“In the spirit of South-South solidarity and cooperation that has always characterised our Group," he said.

"I pledge my Government’s full commitment to discharge its obligations and responsibilities with honour, integrity and in a manner worthy of the trust of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China,”

Looking ahead to Rwanda’s tenure, Nduhungirehe said the country would seek to advance the G77’s interests and respond to the needs of developing countries in international forums.

“It is our sincere hope that during Rwanda’s tenure of office, the Group will be able to advance its interests even further,” he said.

He said Rwanda would actively pursue the needs and aspirations of developing countries and defend the collective positions of member states.

“Rwanda looks forward to carrying out the mandate of the Group of 77 in 2027 and to defend the collective positions of the Member States so as to enable the Group of 77 to achieve its development objectives and goals,” he said.

Nduhungirehe also recognised Uruguay for its leadership of the group in 2026, saying it had advanced dialogue on international economic cooperation and promoted South-South solidarity.

“I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the sterling role that Uruguay has played in leading the Group of 77 this year of 2026,” he said.

Bilateral engagements

On the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Nduhungirehe also signed cooperation agreements with counterparts from Armenia, Uruguay and Nepal.

He signed an agreement with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan exempting holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements.

With Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, Nduhungirehe signed a General Cooperation Agreement, while another General Cooperation Agreement was signed with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal.

Nduhungirehe also held talks with Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orban on prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Following the meeting, Orban said they discussed new areas of cooperation, including education and technical cooperation.

The Rwandan minister further held bilateral meetings with Uganda’s Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare, Barbados’ Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Christopher P. Sinckler, and UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Chaloka Beyani.