In preparation towards the assumption of Thailand’s chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) in January 2016, which was endorsed by the 39th Ministerial Meeting of the G77, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will host the Workshop on 25-26 November 2015 in Bangkok. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Apichart Chinwanno, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, will also participate in this Workshop to share their valuable experiences and exchange views on Thailand’s priorities and roles as the Chair of G77.

This Workshop aims to provide an opportunity for the Thai authorities concerned as well as think-tanks to brainstorm with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s officials team in charge of the issue, led by H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in New York. H.E. Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the Group of 77 and the Executive Secretariat’s staff members, as well as H.E. Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of South Africa to the United Nations in New York and the current Chair of G77, are also invited to the Workshop to share their views and experiences on key priorities, missions, plans, expectations and directions of the Group for next year. The participants’ views and inputs will form a solid basis for the Workshop’s further deliberation on Thailand’s objectives, directions and roadmap for its upcoming chairmanship of G77 throughout next year. The Workshop also aims to strengthen all stakeholders’ readiness for Thailand’s new role under their areas of responsibilities and expertise.