"Despite some progress made in reducing poverty in some regions, we still have a long winding path to total eradication of poverty which poses itself as a most complex issue, with interplay of economic, political, social and historical factors," said Mourad Benmehidi, permanent representative of Algeria to the UN and chairman of G77.

With "current multiple, interrelated crises and challenges," such as the ongoing financial and economic crisis, the food crisis, and food insecurity and climate change, the situation has been exacerbated, he said.