On 9 January 2009, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, who was elected Chair of the 130-member Group of 77 and China, Geneva Chapter, by acclamation. He delivered a statement at the handover ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, after Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, had given the opening remarks.
Ambassador Sihasak stated that Thailand was honoured to take over the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China from Zimbabwe for the year 2009, which will be a particular challenging time against the backdrop of the global financial crisis and a looming economic recession.
Nevertheless, Ambassador Sihasak urged that the Group should work together in a reinvigorated manner with a view to achieving the Millennium Development goals, poverty eradication and alleviation and the full implementation of the Accra Accord. Ambassador Sihasak stressed that diverse interests and concerns of all its 130 members should be fully taken into account in a balanced and comprehensive manner.
G-77 was established in 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries signatories of the Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries, issued at the end of the first session of the UNCTAD in Geneva. Please see www.g77.org for further information.
Statement of Ambassador and Permanent Representative Sihasak Phuangketkeow
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.