South Africa becomes chair of G77 at the United Nations

South Africa has assumed the chair of the Group of 77 (G77), the international relations department said on Friday.

It did so at UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.

"During its term South Africa will be responsible for negotiating and speaking on behalf of two-thirds of the UN membership on key development issues," he said.

In accepting the responsibility, International Relations Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers thanked G77 members for placing their trust and confidence in South Africa.

The G77 is the largest coalition of developing countries in the UN.

It provides the means for countries to promote collective economic interests and enhance negotiating capacity on major economic and development issues.