G77 declaration marks thirty years of collective action

The Agreement on the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries was signed in Belgrade to promote trade concessions within the South.

The GSTP became operational, providing a treaty framework for preferential trade among participating developing countries.

Foreign ministers renewed the group’s call for South–South cooperation and a more equitable international economic system.

African heads of state adopted a treaty to deepen regional integration and build an African Economic Community in stages.

The treaty’s legal commencement advanced the framework for African economic integration envisaged in 1991.

Its founding agreement entered into force, creating a research and policy institution owned by developing countries to support collective action.

The group’s ministerial conference adopted a declaration and action plan on trade, investment and finance among developing countries.

Ministers put forward cooperation among developing regions as a means to expand trade and development opportunities.

OAU leaders proposed the African Union to accelerate continental integration and strengthen Africa’s role in the world economy.

G77 leaders set out a collective vision for development and international economic reform at their first summit of heads of state and government.