NEW YORK — Rwanda has been selected by acclamation to chair the Group of 77 and China in 2027, placing the East African nation at the leadership of one of the United Nations’ most significant coalitions of developing countries.
The decision was confirmed during the 50th Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 and China in New York on September 25, held during the high-level period of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The ministerial gathering focused on the theme, “The Global South and the Future of Multilateralism.” Rwanda is expected to succeed Uruguay, which holds the chairmanship during 2026.
The Group of 77 was established in 1964 as a mechanism through which developing countries could coordinate their positions and strengthen their collective influence within the international system. Although its original membership consisted of 77 countries, the coalition has expanded substantially and today brings together 134 developing nations. Its work covers major international questions involving sustainable development, international economic cooperation, trade, financing, climate resilience, technology and South-South cooperation.
Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe welcomed the decision and thanked member states for entrusting Rwanda with the responsibility. In his public statement following the selection, Nduhungirehe described the outcome as reflecting the collective confidence of the membership and expressed particular appreciation to the African Union and African member states for supporting Rwanda’s candidacy.
Rwanda is a founding member of the G77 and has participated in the coalition since its establishment in Geneva in June 1964. As it prepares for the 2027 chairmanship, the country is expected to coordinate closely with member states and the G77 Secretariat while representing common positions adopted by the coalition.
Nduhungirehe said Rwanda would approach the assignment in the spirit of South-South cooperation and pledged that the government of Rwanda’s commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to it. He told members that Rwanda looked forward to defending their collective positions and helping the group pursue its development objectives.
The significance of the incoming chairmanship extends beyond Rwanda. The G77 provides developing countries with a mechanism for coordinating positions in multilateral negotiations, particularly on development priorities and the structure of the international economic system. At the New York ministerial meeting, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the coalition should ensure that “the voices of the Global South are heard” in shaping the future of multilateralism.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh also publicly welcomed Rwanda as the incoming chair while addressing the ministerial gathering, congratulating the country as it prepares to assume leadership of the coalition.
Rwanda’s selection also comes as African governments continue to advocate stronger representation and influence within international institutions. During a separate meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly, African Union Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi and Nduhungirehe discussed institutional reform, sustainable development and continental integration, including efforts to reinforce Africa’s voice and strategic autonomy internationally.
For Africa, the 2027 chairmanship will provide an important diplomatic platform at a time when developing countries are confronting questions surrounding development financing, climate resilience, debt, technology access and reform of multilateral institutions. The responsibility will require Rwanda to facilitate coordination among a diverse membership while advancing positions agreed collectively by the group.
As the transition from Uruguay approaches, Rwanda will prepare to assume a role centered on consensus-building and representation of developing-country priorities. Its selection by acclamation places the country at the center of Global South diplomacy in 2027 and gives it responsibility for helping coordinate the collective voice of 134 developing nations within the multilateral system.
