UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the “historic leadership” of Palestine which assumed the chairmanship of G77, the global body’s largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries including India.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin Tuesday wished Palestine success, saying “India is privileged to stand up for the global South’s quest for greater equity and justice”.

In his remarks at the annual ceremony for handover of the rotating chairmanship of G77, UN chief Guterres said: “Palestine and its citizens have first-hand experience of some of the most challenging and dramatic global issues we face”.

As protests die down on the Israel-Gaza border where dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire this week, Reuters’ Emily Wither speaks to some of the two million people facing crippling unemployment and blockade in the narrow strip.

A month later, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution that enabled Palestine a non-member Observer State at the world body additional privileges and rights, such as participating in international conferences held under its auspices, for the duration of its role as G77 Chair. “You are well-placed to take up the chairmanship of this important group of countries,” Guterres said.

As multilateralism continues to come under “intense pressure from many sides”, the UN chief underscored the importance of the G77 and China’s continued support. “The Group of 77 and China have demonstrated strong leadership throughout 2018 and proved once again to be a central force in demonstrating that multilateralism is the only way to address our shared challenges,” Guterres said.

Akbaruddin said in a tweet: “Wishing Ambassador Riad Mansoor of Palestine success following his taking over as the chair of the Group of 77 at the UN in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas”.

Abbas said Palestine would use its chairmanship to preserve the multilateral international order and strengthen ties with its UN partners. “People are the real treasure for nations and real and sustainable development can only be achieved when opportunities are enhanced to ensure for all people, full and free participation in all relevant matters in life,” he said.