UN Approves Resolution Granting Palestine More Rights As G77 Chair - Press Office

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) The UN General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly approved a resolution to give the state of Palestine more rights as the new chair of the Group of 77 (G77) developing nations, the UN press office said in a statement.

"The General Assembly decided today to provide additional rights and privileges of participation to the State of Palestine when it assumes its position as chair of the 'Group of 77' developing nations," the release said on Tuesday. "The Assembly set out those terms in a resolution (document A/73/L.5) adopted by a recorded vote of 146 in favor to 3 against (Australia, Israel, United States), with 15 abstentions.

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The new authorities include the right to make statements, submit proposals and introduce them on behalf of the G77, among others, the release added.

Representatives of Israel and the United States took the floor at the UNGA before the vote and voiced their opposition to the resolution, according to the release.

The G77 was established in 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries at a UN conference in Geneva. According to the G77's website, the group aims to allow developing countries to articulate collective economic interests and boost their leverage within the UN system.