H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, attended the Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) to H.E. Mr. Rafael Correa, President of the Republic of Ecuador, Chairman of the G77 for 2017, on 13 January 2017. The Ceremony was presided by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) and H.E. Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Acting President of the 71^st Session of the UN General Assembly (PGA 71).
                   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered the farewell statement emphasizing that the accomplishment of the Group during the past year, including laying down the foundations and funding for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda; securing the Group interests on important emerging issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR); as well as overcoming difficult and delicate conversations within the Group in particular on what constitutes “family”; are results of unity, trust and common interest of the G77, without leaving anyone behind.
                   Thailand also invested in other important issues that could contribute to the achievement of sustainable development namely investment, ICT and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), which were well received by the members of the Group.  Although Thailand’s chairmanship tenure had come to an end, her cooperation with G77 member countries would remain, through “SEP for Partnership” programme and her contribution to the Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation. Thailand would also push forward the SDGs agenda in other international forums including ASEAN and ACD by sharing our experience of following SEP, our home-grown approach to sustainable development.
                  President of the Republic of Ecuador delivered an incoming Chair statement identifying issues to be addressed under Ecuador’s Chairmanship for 2017, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, promotion of peace and justice, eradication of poverty and inequality, redistribution of global income and bring about solidarity of the Global South. He also praised SEP as one of the means to sustainable development. SEP shares similar concept to Ecuadorian traditional belief of “living well” meaning to balance economic growth with social well-being.
                  UNSG delivered a statement congratulate Thailand's G77 presidency for playing central role in moving forward the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. For 2017, UNSG will attach importance to the reform of the UN development system.  This would require close cooperation from the G77.                                  Acting PGA 71 also delivered a statement emphasizing the PGA’s willingness to work closely with the G77 in the year to come, which is an important time as the UN looked to scale up the implementation of SDGs as well as welcoming the new UNSG. He also stressed that the G77 solidarity was fundamental and indispensable for the success of the work of UN.
                 Following the Handover Ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs had a bilateral meeting with the UNSG.  UNSG offered condolences for the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is considered to be the Statesman of a Global Dimension. The Minister informed UNSG of the development in Thai politics and reaffirmed the Thai Government's commitment to following the political roadmap as planned. The Minister also informed the UNSG on the successful voluntary return of the pilot group of Myanmar displaced persons to their homeland.