Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77

Statement by H.E. Mr. Mohan Pieris,

 Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

 

New York, 14 January 2022

 

Mr. Chair,

Excellencies,

 

On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, I am pleased to extend our felicitations to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for assuming the chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China for the year 2022. The Government of Sri Lanka has the utmost confidence in Pakistan in fulfilling its responsibility as the Chair of our Group, and we commit our full support to Pakistan as they continue in carrying out the important work and traditions of this Group. 

I am also pleased to express the appreciation of Sri Lanka to H.E. Dr. Morrisanda Kouyate, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, African Integration and Guineans Living Abroad of the Republic of Guinea. Sri Lanka commends the Republic of Guinea for its excellent stewardship of the Group of 77 in 2021.

As a founding member of the Group of 77, Sri Lanka is cognizant of the strength, the diversity and geographical vastness of the group brings, and reiterates its commitment to the principle of unity in diversity which threads the work of the Group.

Further, Sri Lanka pledges to re-dedicate itself to advancing and protecting the diverse, and equally vital interests of each nation in the Group of 77 and China, with special focus on the Middle Income Countries, Least Developed countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing Nations.

Excellencies,

 

Two years on from the COVID-19 pandemic and with the everchanging face and requirements the pandemic has placed on us, the act of ‘Building Back Better’ requires even further unified strategy of the Global South.

We are hopeful, that in this context of needing a more unified Global Southern response to the economic and social harships, Pakistan will take decisive steps to leverage the South-South Cooperation. The economic revival of the global community remains the best option in reducing the harms of the pandemic and in ensuring that education, food and healthcare are adequately available regardless of geographical roots. To this end, we hope Pakistan’s Chairmanship will strengthen and revitalize the North-South cooperation.

 

Excellencies,

In conclusion,  I am also pleased to make this an opportunity to reiterate our strongest support to the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York and I am confindent that the able leadership of my dear colleague, Ambassador Munir Akram in leading the Group of 77 and China in New York will open new vistas and lead the Group in playing a robust role in the activities of this august Assembly.  

 

I thank you.