The establishment of the Group of 77 in June 1964 has been described by many academics and practitioners as one of the significant political phenomena of the post-Second World War era, when developing countries and emerging nations of the South found a common voice and rallied around a common platform, thus establishing the Group system as the most enduring instrument of multilateral international cooperation and negotiation.

It is a testimony to the vision of the founding fathers that the Group of 77 found strength in the common perception of the inequality of the international economic order and the need for greater justice and equity in international relations in order to achieve lasting world peace, security and prosperity. The Group of 77, representing the greatest coalition of humanity, remains today a vital negotiating instrument to represent the interest of the South in economic multilateral diplomacy and for ensuring international peace and justice through international cooperation for development within the framework of the United Nations.

The founding fathers of the Group of 77 in their first declaration in June 1964 stated that "the developing countries have a strong conviction that there is a vital need to maintain, and further strengthen, this unity in the years ahead." That unity and solidarity has withstood the test of time, despite momentous challenges and changing political and economic circumstances. The Group of 77 has risen to the challenge of change and responded without losing sight of its mission and clear vision of the need to create a more fair and equitable international economic order. Indeed, it is remarkable that with a diverse membership comprising 132 Member States and without a formal constitution or rules of procedure it has managed to endure through the world's political and economic turbulences and remain true to its original mission.

The history of the Group of 77 is identified by landmark achievements in every aspect of the United Nations system. The last two summits of the Group of 77 have redefined the mission of the Group and revitalized its commitment to meet the latest challenges from globalization and liberalization. It is, therefore, a commendable undertaking to document the path the Group of 77 has taken through action, determination and intellectual activity throughout four decades of action. The unique experience of the Group of 77 can only be shared if the relevant documentation, reflecting its achievements in various reports, declarations, agreements, resolutions and decisions are shared with the public at large. This valuable publication is particularly timely, following the Group's fortieth anniversary in June 2004 and its Second South Summit in June 2005.