On 25-26 November 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted “the Workshop on Thailand’s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 in 2016”. The workshop was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr.  Kingsley Mamabolo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa and Chair of G77 for 2015. Mr. Mourad Ahmia, the Executive Secretary of the Group of 77, also participated in the discussion. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined the discussion during a working lunch on 25 November 2015. 

The Workshop welcomed Thailand’s theme for the chairmanship which is “From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development” as well as the 5 strategic goals which are as follows:

1. To gear up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;

2. To further strengthen cooperation among developing countries or South–South Cooperation;

3. To enhance coordination among different chapters of the Group to ensure efficient working mechanism and coherence;

4. To promote the collective interests of the Group in the relevant Main Committees of the United Nations General Assembly and relevant international fora; and

5.  To explore alternative approaches to sustainable development, especially the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Thailand is planning to host a G77 Thematic Meeting on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, tentatively in June 2016.   

In fulfilling its responsibility as the chair of G77, Thailand is determined to serve as a bridge-builder among developing countries, as well as between developing and developed countries in order to achieve the sustainable development goals. Thailand is also determined to maintain cohesiveness among G77 members, the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations with diverse background and developmental levels.