In connection with the "worst financial crisis since the Great Depression," Ban noted that the strong growth rates enjoyed by developing countries from 2002-07 "will soon be distant memories. Prospects for the least developed countries are particularly worrying." He said the international community "must pull together and work harder than ever. I will be counting on the Group 77 and China to play a strong and constructive role, and I am keen to work closely with you." Ban attended the ceremony but since he has laryngitis, his speech was delivered by his deputy Asha Rose Migiro. The Group of 77, which now groups 130 countries, is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing states in the United Nations, which provides the means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system, and promote South-South cooperation for development. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/628947