On 26 April 2012, the 13th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII), which took place from 21-26 April 2012, concluded successfully in Doha, Qatar. The Ministerial Conference, which takes place every four years, bringing together member states and observers of the United Nations, civil society and other stakeholders, has as this year’s theme “Development-centred globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable growth and development”.
Thailand, as Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the Group of 77 and China, represented the Group of over 130 developing countries as lead negotiator in the negotiations of the outcome document for UNCTAD XIII. The process for UNCTAD XIII, which began in February 2011 with the negotiations on the theme and four sub-themes for the Conference, predominantly took place at the United Nations, Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Other regional groups in the negotiations process included the European Union, JUSSCANNZ (Japan, US, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey and Israel) and Group D (countries with economies in transition).
Throughout the four months of intense negotiations on the draft negotiating text, Thailand and the Group of 77 and China exerted their best efforts to protect the interests of developing countries. The unity and solidarity of the Group of 77 and China played an important role in the eventual success of the negotiations process.
The outcome document, entitled “The Doha Mandate”, paves the way for the next four years for UNCTAD, which remains the focal point of the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and inter-related issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development, which help to enhance the capacity of developing countries to meet the developmental challenges of today’s world. Further information on the Conference, including outcome documents, could be found on the UNCTAD XIII website at http://unctadxiii.org/en/Pages/home.aspx.
In this connection, on 4 May 2012, Mr. Pisanu Chanvitan, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, in his capacity as the Chair of the G77 and China Preparatory Committee, hosted a celebration at the Permanent Mission of Thailand in Geneva for members of the Group of 77 and China to celebrate the successful conclusions of UNCTAD XIII and to thank all members of the Group for the hard work done and the continued support extended to Thailand. Around 90 guests, including 35 Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors from various countries, attended the event. In this regard, members of the Group of 77 and China expressed their congratulations and appreciation to Thailand for the leadership in the negotiations process of UNCTAD XIII, which delivered a triumphant outcome.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th