The
Group of Fifteen (G-15) was established at a Summit Level
Group of Developing Countries in September 1989, following the
conclusion of the Ninth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting in Belgrade. The
Group was originally founded by 15 developing countries. While there
are now 17 member countries, the original name of the Group has been
retained.
The Group was conceived as a
small cohesive body of developing countries, but at the same time,
fairly representative and having sufficient economic and political
weight and countervailing power, to meet on a regular basis at the
highest level and make authoritative pronouncements reflecting their
common standpoint on the major developments in the world economy and
international economic relations. A long-term goal of the G-15 was to
be recognized as a logical dialogue partner of the Group of 7 (G-7, now
G-8) highly industrialized countries.
It was decided to set up the G-15
autonomously outside the larger groupings of developing countries, but
fully sharing their objectives and world view, having close interaction
with them and keeping its projects open for participation by any member
of the larger Groups. The above purpose alone was important enough and
sufficient to justify the creation of the Group of 15. But the Heads
of State and Government of the Group decided that, in addition to this
broader purpose, the G-15 would also take up projects which could bring
direct benefits to the peoples of the member States, which could help
in enhancing the credibility of the Group, inspire confidence among its
member States, and thereby strengthening its unity and cohesion. This,
it was expected, could enhance the bargaining power of the Group in
dealing with developed countries.
GROUP OF FIFTEEN