Statement by H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York at the handover ceremony of the chairmanship of the Group of 77
ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ, 15 January 2020
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.
I join other speakers before me, to warmly congratulate Guyana for taking up the chairmanship of the Group of 77. Your presence here today, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, demonstrates the importance that your country attaches to this responsibility. We are confident that under your leadership, there will be renewed impetus and dynamism in the Group’s work.
Today’s meeting also marks the conclusion of the successful chairmanship of the State of Palestine of our Group. I take this opportunity to extend my delegation’s heartfelt appreciation to H. E. Dr. Riad Al-Maliki and the Palestinian delegation for their outstanding leadership of G77 in a challenging year.
Allow me to also express our thanks to the Secretariat of G77, for their efficient and timely support extended throughout the year.
[Mr. Chairman] I wish to reiterate my country’s deep commitment to the Group of 77, which we believe, continues to be the strongest voice of the developing countries, and a platform for solidarity and effective collaboration. Under your leadership, we expect the Group to be at the forefront in efforts to strengthen that and the core values of the UN.
The year 2020 will be a significant year for the Group, as we celebrate the UN’s 75th anniversary. There are many important landmark events coming up this year, such as the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and WPS+20. The President of the General Assembly also shared his comprehensive roadmap for the coming year. The G77 is expected to provide leadership in representing the collective interest of the developing world as we commemorate those significant events.
[Mr. Chairman] as we move closer to the deadline of attaining the 2030 Agenda, we are confronted with protracted economic stagnation, fiscal austerity measures, and growing protectionism, resulting in declining global cooperation for development. In addition, climate change and the negative impacts of new and emerging technologies on the job market in developing countries are limiting the prospects of our development significantly. We are in need of a more robust global partnership to address these challenges. There is a need to redefine the international development cooperation structure, where G77 must play a significant role, as it has traditionally done, in enhancing cooperation among the global South.
[Mr. Chairman] We strongly feel that the G77 must continue as a strong negotiating block to secure the interests of the developing countries. And to do so, there must be renewed efforts to forge innovative and stronger collaboration among the members of the G77. We are confident, you can steer us towards that path.
I wish to conclude, by reassuring Ambassador Rudolph Michael Ten Pow and his delegation of our full support and cooperation during the chairmanship of Guyana of the G77.
I thank you, Mr. Chair.