22 July 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Vienna Lourdes O. Yparraguirre, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Vienna officially assumed on July 16, the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G 77) in Vienna. The Philippines took over from Sri Lanka which chaired the Group from January to June 2014.
On her assumption as Chair, Philippine Ambassador Yparraguirre affirmed that the Philippines has always been committed to the ideals and principles of this venerable institution which is commemorating its 50th Anniversary this year, and conveyed her acceptance of her role with great sense of responsibility and humility.
The Philippine chairmanship was warmly welcomed by the Group and several Ambassadors expressed their confidence on the leadership of the Chair and strong support during the well attended meeting convened by the Philippine Chair today.
The G-77 was established on 15 June 1964 by 77 developing countries during the first session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva. The Group which is now composed of 132 countries maintains its original name to keep the vision of the Group at its inception alive.
Philippine Ambassador Yparraguirre emphasized that as a Group representing over half of the world’s population and more than two-thirds of the entire United Nations membership, G-77 and China is an important actor in the pursuit of world order that is just, equitable, peaceful and stable.
As Chair, Philippine Ambassador Yparraguirre will lead the Group in advancing its interests within the framework of the different UN and other international organizations in Vienna such as UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty Organization (CTBTO). END