Beijing has congratulated Uruguay on assuming the 2026 chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, expressing hope that the mechanism will further strengthen unity and cooperation and practice genuine multilateralism.

The handover ceremony of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China was held on Wednesday at the United Nations headquarters, where Uruguay formally took over the role for 2026. Addressing the ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Group of 77 is a solid pillar of multilateralism and that its mission is more urgent than ever.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday that Guterres once again highlighted the importance of multilateralism as well as unity and cooperation at the handover ceremony, reflecting the shared aspirations of the international community.

This, he noted, shows that unilateral actions such as tearing up agreements, withdrawing from multilateral frameworks and cutting off supplies are unpopular.

Amid a volatile and transforming international landscape and growing headwinds facing multilateralism, developing countries have an even greater need to unite and strengthen themselves through cooperation, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying practices, and safeguard their legitimate development interests, Guo said.

He added that Beijing looks forward to the Group of 77 and China mechanism firmly upholding the authority and role of the UN, bringing development issues back to the center of the international agenda, and working together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

The Group of 77 and China is an important multilateral cooperation mechanism within the UN, composed of developing countries. Established in 1964 with 77 founding members, it has since expanded to 134 member states.