Malaysia Completes Term As Chair Of G77 Vienna Chapter

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has successfully completed its term as the Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77) Vienna Chapter on June 30, said the permanent mission of Malaysia to the United Nations in Vienna. The mission, in a statement, said Malaysia held the position of the Chair of the G77 and China in Vienna for the first time and this is in line with Malaysia’s foreign policy posture of upholding multilateralism and South-South Cooperation. “During a reception to mark the end of the term on 30 June 2020, Datuk Ganeson Sivagurunathan, Ambassador of Malaysia to Austria and Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in Vienna thanked all G77 Members, Executive Heads of the Vienna-based Organisations, Task Force leaders and the G77 Secretariat for the close cooperation given during his chairmanship. “He also appreciated the work of taskforce coordinators from Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Palestine which have made valuable supports and cooperation to the contribution of the group to all Vienna-based Organisations,” the statement said. The statement said Malaysia’s maiden tenure, which began on Feb 12 faced unprecedented obstacles and challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. “Despite lockdowns, travel restrictions, health and economic crises that ensued, Malaysia has successfully planned and navigated through these uncertain times, “it said. The statement said Ganeson constantly engaged with the G77 Ambassadors as well as the Secretariat to convey the views of the Group. “Malaysia initiated separate virtual discussions and dialogues between all G77 Members and the Director-General of the UN Offices in Vienna (UNOV)/Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to protect the interest of all G77 members, especially the least developed countries, which were expected to suffer the most due to the pandemic. “Malaysia was also at the forefront to promote and advance the interest of G77 at various meetings and conferences,” said the statement. The Group of 77 is the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing countries within the United Nations, designed to promote its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity. The organisation has expanded to 134 member countries. “Malaysia looks forward to continuing to work with all G77 member states to pursue the interest of the Group, “said the statement. -- BERNAMA