NEW YORK, Jan 11: Pakistan's top priority for Group of 77 (developing countries) and China, whose leadership it assumed on Wednesday, will be securing full and timely implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at slashing poverty and other global ills by year 2015.

“Despite individual and collective achievements of our member states, it is evident that developing countries continue to face imposing and complex challenges in their quest to bring prosperity and sustained development to their people,” Minister for State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtyar said.

He called for establishment of a mechanism at UN to evaluate implementation of development commitments by the developed states to provide financial transfers, trade openings and technology access to developing nations.

This was critical to enable them successfully implement their national development strategies. Handing over gravel to Bakhtyar at the ceremony,

in which United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took part, South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma hoped Pakistan would work to take Group, which now has 131 members, to a higher level.

Bakhtyar pledged to safeguard “fundamental rights and interests” of its members in UN reform process. “We will endeavour to maintain unity in Group to safeguard our collective and fundamental rights and interests in reform process.”

“Pakistan will seek to maintain high standards of leadership and dedication established by South Africa. This expression of trust, confidence in Pakistan reinforces deep commitment to ideals and objectives of Group of 77 and China.”

As G-77 chairman in New York, Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram would be involved in all aspects of global development issues as well as UN reforms, especially in management field.

He is prominent player in process of UN management reforms in his capacity as co-chairperson of designated panel.

—PPI