UN General Assembly’s voted on 30 October to allow Palestine to head the Group of 77 and China (G-77) next year. Previously, on 27 September, the G-77 elected the State of Palestine to chair the group in 2019. In order to be able to fulfil its leadership role, Palestine (an observer-state member only) was granted extra rights by UN General Assembly on 17 October, a move strongly criticised by Israel. The extra rights would allow Palestine to act as a full-fledged UN member, except for the ability to vote. The Palestinian UN delegation started working with the Palestinian Foreign Ministry to complete all the preparations and arrangements for the country to assume the G-77’s rotating presidency for one year effective 1 January, a position held by Egypt for 2018. Amr Awadallah, head of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry’s directorate general for the UN and UN-specialized organizations, said “Palestine’s presidency of this group is a test. It will prove Palestine’s capabilities and experience in assuming efficient international roles. This will enhance its image as a successful state before the international community”. The G-77 defends the economic, environmental and developmental interests of its members and strengthens their leverage with major powers.