New York, September 24 (RHC-Xinhua) -- Ecuador on Friday was named president of the Group of 77 and China bloc at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, Ecuador will hold the presidency of the group for a year, beginning in January 2017.

"This is the first time the country will hold this position," said Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Guillaume Long, adding that it was a matter of both pride and responsibility for Ecuador to be raising “the flag of solidarity and brotherhood among the people of the  South.”

"The role of the G77+China is crucial. We will commit all our efforts to bring about a fairer, equal, inclusive and sustainable international order," he added.

Created in June 1964, with 77 initial members, the G77 plus China group is a coalition of developing countries at the UN whose membership has increased to 134 nations today, making it one of the most significant blocs of UN members.