Secretary-General’s Remarks at Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (Excerpts)

video (Secretary-General remarks)

video (General Assembly President remarks)

video (handover ceremony)

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the handover ceremony of the chairmanship of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, in New York today:

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I congratulate the State of Palestine as it assumes the Presidency of the Group of 77 and China for 2019. I welcome Your Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas and thank you for joining us today, as a clear demonstration of the strong commitment of the State of Palestine to an effective Presidency of the Group of 77 and China.

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I look forward to continuing to work closely with the G77 and China in 2019 under the historic leadership of the State of Palestine.

Palestine and its citizens have first-hand experience of some of the most challenging and dramatic global issues we face. You are well-placed to take up the chairmanship of this important group of countries.

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I would like to underline what was said by President Mahmoud Abbas, South-South cooperation is not to replace North-South cooperation.  South-South cooperation is not for the Addis Ababa Action Agenda to be forgotten.  Commitments made there must be fully implemented.  South-South cooperation is a form to complement and to enhance the impact of North-South cooperation.

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For information media. Not an official record.