The Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development, or The Group of 24 (G-24) was established in 1971 as a chapter of the Group of 77 in order to help coordinate the positions of developing countries on international monetary and development finance issues, as well as and to ensure that their interests are adequately represented in negotiations on international monetary matters. Though originally named after the number of founding Member States, it now has 28 Members (plus China, which acts as a Special Invitee). Although the G-24 officially has 28 member countries, any member of the G-77 can join discussions. Although the group is not an organ of the International Monetary Fund, the IMF provides secretariat services for the Group. It meets biannually, first prior to the International Monetary and Financial Committee, and secondly prior to the Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the Fund. These meetings allow developing country members to discuss agenda items prior to these important meetings of the IMF/World Bank. Member States Following is the list of members of G-24: Region I (Africa): Region II (Latin America and the Caribbean): Venezuela Region III (Asia): Observers The following act as observers states of the G-24: The following act as institutional observers of the G-24: Arab Monetary Fund Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Group of 77 International Labour Organization Islamic Development Bank OPEC Fund for International Development Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries South Centre United Nations Conference on Trade and Development United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Central American Monetary Council Operation of the G-24 The G-24 operates at two levels: The political level, consisting of Ministers, their Deputies, the Bureau, and other Washington-based representatives who participate in the Committee of the Whole and in any ad hoc meetings; and The operational level, which is run by the G-24 Liaison Office, and includes the G-24 Secretariat and the Research Coordinator. The governing body of the G-24 meets twice a year, preceding the Spring and Fall meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Joint Development Committee of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The plenary G-24 meetings are addressed by the heads of the IMF and the World Bank Group as well as by senior officials of the UN system. Issues are first discussed by the Deputies and culminate