New York – January 8, 2015
H.E. Ms. Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations on behalf of President Kutesa
Your Excellency Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia,
Honourable Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa,
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you at this handover ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 in my capacity as Acting President of the General Assembly.
On behalf of the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Sam Kutesa, who is currently out of New York, I would like to warmly welcome His Excellency President Evo Morales Ayma, and commend the delegation of Bolivia for its able leadership of the Group. Over the last year, the Group of 77 has played an important role in promoting the interests of developing countries and made valuable contributions to the work of the United Nations.
I would also like to congratulate Honourable Luwellyn Landers, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo and the delegation of South Africa on assuming the Chairmanship of the G77 in 2015. The responsibility that been entrusted to you attests to the confidence that the Group has in your ability and leadership.
Esteemed Colleagues,
This upcoming year will undoubtedly be an important one for the United Nations, during which we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding. It is a historic opportunity for member States to review the Assembly’s work, renew its commitment, and define its future.
An important part of this effort will be to formulate an ambitious, transformative and inclusive post-2015 development agenda. We must ensure the new development agenda brings tangible benefits to all people in the world.
While it should be universal, it should take into account the priorities and concerns of developing countries, especially those in special situations. In this regard, I am confident the G77 and China will play a constructive role in the inter-governmental negotiations that will soon begin.
As I have stressed before, the success of the post-2015 development agenda will depend on mobilisation of adequate means of implementation. We must ensure that the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in July in Addis Ababa, is successful. The constructive participation and contribution of the G77 will be crucial in this regard.
This is also a critical year for international efforts to tackle climate change through the realization of a final global agreement under the auspices of the UNFCCC, by the end of this year in Paris.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Although the global community has many tasks going forward, we are also on the cusp of great opportunities to build a brighter tomorrow for present and future generations. I remain confident that collectively and with a sense of renewed political will, we can turn our hopes and dreams into a reality.
I thank the G77 and China for its continued cooperation and support and look forward to even greater collaboration going forward.
Once again let me thank the outgoing Chair-Bolivia for its efforts and wish the incoming Chair, South Africa best of luck in its tenure.
I thank you for your attention.
