Message of H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, delivered by H.E. Mr. Durga P. Bhattarai, Permanent Representative of Nepal, at Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the G77 and China
13 January 2017
H.E. Mr. Rafael Correa Delgado, President of the Republic of Ecuador,
H.E. Mr. Guillaume Long, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador,
H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations,
Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the G77 and China,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to address the Group of 77 and China at its “Handover ceremony of the Chairmanship”, on behalf of the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, who is regrettably currently out of New York.
Let me start by congratulating you, President Correa, and the nation of Ecuador, on assuming the leadership of the Group, and to express my readiness to work closely with you and the Group in our efforts to advance the global development and humanitarian agenda.
I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Thailand for its able leadership of the G77 and China over the last year.
President Correa, your assumption of the leadership of the G77 and China comes at a critical moment for the United Nations, as the world looks to scale-up implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and as the United Nations welcomes its new Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres. As the biggest negotiating Group within the United Nations, Secretary-General Guterres will need the strong support of the G77 and China, and I am confident that he can rely on the group for this.
As a former Chair of the G77 and China, I know firsthand the great responsibility that has been placed by developing countries in your hands, and the mark of trust that it reflects in Ecuador’s commitment to furthering the cause and ideals of sustainable development. I am confident that Ecuador will succeed in these efforts, and in consolidating the achievements and solidarity of the Group.
Excellencies,
2017 will be a critical year for the United Nations and for pursuing the high aims of the G77 and China. It is clear Ecuador will have an important role to play on a range of issues and processes that lie ahead.
As we enter the second year of the 2030 Agenda, this includes in building and maintaining momentum for implementing each and every Sustainable Development Goals. This endeavor is one that I am also committed to pushing throughout the term of my Presidency of the General Assembly.
This year will also see important work to strengthen the integration and cohesion of implementation and follow-up efforts for the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, with a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development.
In this context, the High-Level Political Forum in July offers a critical platform for Member States to engage in follow up and review on a range of SDGs. The strong interest expressed by many delegations to make their national presentations during this Session is a clear reflection of the high levels of commitment of Member States to achieving the SDGs.
Consistent with this, a process of aligning the agendas of the General Assembly and ECOSOC, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as the HLPF, with the 2030 Agenda will commence. This process will provide a space for delegations to engage in a constructive discussion on how to enhance synergies, improve coherence, and reduce overlap, in the way that the UN considers the SDGs, given their universal, integrated and comprehensive nature.
Excellencies,
This year will also see the first ever United Nations Ocean Conference, held from 5 to 9 June. The Ocean Conference will be a critical moment for all stakeholders – across government, the UN system, business and industry, civil society, and the scientific and academic communities – to mobilize substantive action to reverse the cycle of decline in which the Ocean is currently caught. I look forward to your participation at the Conference at the highest political levels.
Throughout this year, the United Nations will also be called upon to deliver on a number of critical issues for the UN Agenda, including financing for development, taxation, humanitarian assistance, operational activities for development and the implementation of the new QCPR framework, and adoption of the UN’s biennial budget – all of which this Group will have an important contribution to make.
Excellencies,
The solidarity and unity that has marked membership of the Group, offers a solid example on the importance of promoting South-South cooperation, along with North-South and triangular cooperation, to maximize mutual benefits. These efforts should aim to give particular attention to the needs of the most vulnerable countries among the Group, by addressing their specific needs and providing them with appropriate means of implementation.
In conclusion, I would like to assure Ambassador Horacio Sevilla Borja of my support and willingness to assist him in his role as Chair of the G77 and China, in any way I can.
I thank you.