Sri Lanka heads Vienna Chapter - Group of 77

Sri Lanka assumed the chairmanship of the Vienna Chapter of the Group of 77 from Sudan last Wednesday at a meeting in Vienna attended by the Group's ambassadors and the executive heads of Vienna-based international organisations.

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Aliyar Lebbe Abdul Azeez officially took over the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G-77) Vienna Chapter.

He said his election to the position would be welcomed by the Government of Sri Lanka which stresses stewardship on issues of global importance for developing countries through a well-established policy of constructive cooperation and dialogue to maximise the outcome for the countries of the South.

"Sri Lanka's election to this post in the Group of 77, which is the largest bloc of developing countries in the United Nations with more than 130 members, reflects the strong confidence placed by the members of the Group in Sri Lanka's role in maintaining a constructive dialogue with international partners to further the cause of the South," the Government said in a statement.

External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris reiterated the importance attached to the Group of 77 by Sri Lanka, highlighting that the Group has an important role to play in addressing crucial challenges that affect the developing countries ranging from economic and social development, global financial issues, climate change and sustainable development.

The Minister stressed that Sri Lanka will rigorously pursue the principles underlying South-South cooperation to create political, economic and social unity, to enhance North-South cooperation.