ifda dossier 74 - Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation

The political objective of preserving the political independence of
member states is largely carried out within the UN and some of its
Specialized Agencies such as the International Labor Organization
(ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). As for the economic objective of development
and self-reliance which involves increased economic cooperation in the
form of exchange of information and joint projects, adopted at the
Lusaka Summit of 1970, this is dealt with by the Co-ordinator Coun-
tries, dmwing on the relevant expert groups and technical groups
initiated by the Coordinator Countries.
It may be recalled that it was mentioned earlier that the NAM serves
as the political voice of the Third World countries and the G77 as the
economic arm. In view of the shift in orientation of the NAM in the
1970s, with economic matters gaining in increased importance, the
question arises as to the probable overlap with the efforts of the G77.
This is particularly so since the mid 1970;i with the preoccupation of
both the NAM and the G77 with the urgent need for reform of the
international economic system and the establishment of a New Interna-
tional Econonlic Order (NIEO) which would take cognizance of the
interests of the Third World. In addition, there was also a recognition
of the need for collective self-reliance, termed Economic Cooperation
among Developing Countries (ECDC). However, a closer look at the
activities of the two Third World organizations would reveal the
difference in emphasis. The NAM focusscs on direct actions, described
as "the achievement of structural changes through unilateral measures
by the developing countries" while the G77 concentrates on negotiations
between the Third World countries and the industrial countries,
articulating the collective viewpoint of the Third World which is
essentially concerned with effecting structural changes, whether by direct
action or by bargaining, with a view "to accelerate the development
process and to obtain a more equitable sharing of the benefits and
control over international activities".11 And, inspite of the similarity in
ultimate objectives, heavy overlap in concerns and activities, let alone
in membership from the Third World, they continue till today to
persevere with their separate identities.13
What exactly does the G77 do?l-Ã Initially, before UNCTAD 1, the 77
countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America came together to work out