The G-77 was established on June 15, 1964,
by the Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Developing Countries that was
issued at the end of the first session of the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD). G-77 was started to promote the economic
interests of its members, who are primarily developing countries, and to
strengthen their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic
issues addressed by the United Nations. The membership of the G-77 has expanded
to 133 member countries, but the original name has been retained because of its
historical significance. See also
Group of 24.