AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR MATETE NENA AT THE CEREMONY FOR THE HANDOVER OF THE G77+CHINA PRESIDENCY

  Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Matete Nena, Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations & Chair of the African Group for the month of January

14th January 2025

Chair,

Dear Colleagues,

• I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group, on the occasion of the handover of the Presidency of the Group of 77 and China

  
  

• Allow me, to express on behalf of the African Group, our sincere appreciation to the outgoing Presidency, held by Iraq. At a time of heightened global uncertainty and multiple, interlinked crises, Iraq provided dedicated and balanced leadership, promoting unity within the Group, fostering constructive interregional dialogue, and consistently defending the collective interests of the Global South.

  
  

• The African Group particularly acknowledges the efforts of the outgoing Presidency to preserve the cohesion of the G77+China and to ensure that the priorities of developing countries remained central in key intergovernmental processes, including financing for development, the climate agenda, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

  
  

• At the same time, we warmly welcome the incoming Presidency of the G77+China, assumed by the Republic of Uruguay.

  
  

• The African Group stands ready to work closely, constructively and in a spirit of solidarity with Uruguay, confident that its leadership will further strengthen the unity, credibility and effectiveness of our Group.

Excellency,

• The African Group underscores the mutual and enduring solidarity that binds our Group to the G77+China.

  
  

• The G77+China can always rely on the African Group as a steadfast partner in the defense of the interests of the Global South and of all developing countries.

  
  

• In a world marked by deep asymmetries, persistent inequalities and overlapping crises, our collective responsibility is to act together to promote a more just, inclusive and balanced international system, fully aligned with the commitment of the 2030 Agenda to “leave no one behind.”

  
  

• In this context, the African Group underscores the importance of a strong, united and results-oriented G77+China, capable of influencing global decision-making and delivering tangible outcomes for our peoples.

  
  

• Allow me to conclude by reiterating our sincere appreciation to Iraq for its dedicated service and by wishing the Presidency of Uruguay every success in the fulfilment of its mandate.

I thank you.