Kiribati has asked to join the the Group of 77 in order to strengthen its position on the global stage.
The country's president, Anote Tong, made the call at a meeting in Fiji of the UN grouping which brings together 132 developing countries.
Mr Tong says Kiribati wants the opportunity to give wider voice to its needs and concerns, particularly in terms of South-South cooperation.
He says there needs to be balance between economic growth, social developments and the environment, so no sector of the community is marginalized.
Fiji's Permanent Representative to the UN, Peter Thomson, says as a member of the Pacific Small Islands Developing States, Kiribati would be welcome at the G77 which is chaired by Fiji.
