Algeria’s Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf on Thursday urged stronger representation for developing countries in international institutions, stressing that the 1964 Algiers Charter remains a reference point for cooperation among Global South nations.
Speaking at a meeting of the Group of 77 (G77) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session in New York, Attaf underlined the group’s importance as the largest negotiating bloc within the United Nations.
“The Algiers Charter of 1964 continues to serve as a framework for cooperation and coordination among our countries,” he said, adding that today’s challenges require intensified efforts to advance the priorities of developing nations.
Attaf outlined four priority areas. On sustainable development, he stressed the need for a unified stance in line with commitments made at the UN International Conference on Financing for Development, including the urgent need for fairer and more effective international commitments.
On reforming global governance, he said it was essential to reaffirm demands for equitable representation of developing countries across international economic, political, monetary, and trade institutions.
On climate change, Attaf called for recognition of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” pointing out that developing countries contribute least to the crisis but are most affected by its impacts.
Finally, on technology transfer and knowledge sharing, he urged concrete measures to ensure developing nations are not left behind in current technological revolutions, including digitalization, robotics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.
“These revolutions will undoubtedly redefine the contours of the global economy,” Attaf warned.
