Vision to. Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development THAILAND From THAILAND 2016

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1 THAILAND 2016 THAILAND 2016 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THAILAND From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development

2 THAILAND 2016 From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development

3 Contents Foreword by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand 4 Visions and Perspectives of the Group of 77 in pursuit of Economic Advancement and Development Cooperation The Strength of the Global South: The Thai Perspective Achievements of the Group of 77 and China during South Africa s Chairship of the Group 14 - Ecuador s G77 Chairmanship in The Group of 77 s Roadmap: From Algiers in 1967 to Bangkok in List of Activities under Thailand s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 for 2016 I The Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77, 12 January 2016, New York II The G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, February 2016, Bangkok 34 III G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation, 1-2 March 2016, Bangkok 46 IV High-Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South on South-South Cooperation, 9-10 March 2016, Bangkok 54 V The 47th Annual Meeting of Chairmen/Coordinators of the G77 Chapters, 11 March 2016, Bangkok 62 VI G77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development, 4-5 May 2016, Pattaya 68 VII SEP in Business: A G77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, 1-2 June 2016, Bangkok 76 VIII The 14th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), July 2016, Nairobi, Kenya 84 IX G20 Summit, 4-5 September 2016, Hangzhou, China 96 X The 40th Ministerial Meeting of G77, 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. 102

4 In January 2016, Thailand assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77, the largest intergovernmental grouping in the United Nations system. Taking up the mantle from South Africa, we did so with a sense of humility, responsibility, solidarity and commitment to advancing the ideals and values of the Group of 77. Believing that global challenges are best addressed by multilateralism, Thailand has promoted international cooperation and fostered global partnerships. It was in this spirit of constructive collaboration and dialogue that we approached the chairmanship of the Group of 77. Looking back after a year has passed, I am proud of what the Group of 77 has achieved and what contribution the chairmanship of Thailand has made during this crucial formative phase of transforming the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into action and reality. We began building bridges and forging partnerships among stakeholders with different viewpoints and positions but with a shared aspiration. The task has not been easy and the process requires time, collective efforts, flexibity and even compassion. The Group of 77, as a champion of development and a collective voice of the developing countries, is and will continue to be instrumental to ensuring that the international community makes good on the promise to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for all, without leaving anyone behind. I am also pleased that during our chairmanship Thailand has been able to share with the Group the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), our home-grown approach to sustainable development which has been bestowed upon us by our revered late Monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Bilateral and trilateral SEP for SDGs partnerships have been fostered within the South and with the Foreword by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.) participation of developed partner countries. This cooperation scheme is now set to grow way beyond our chairmanship. This booklet is intended to memorialize our stories and achievements in 2016 to the pages of an already rich and diverse history of the Group of 77. It offers not just an account of meetings and activities, but also thoughtful reflection and projection by eminent individuals with close connection to the Group of 77 on the role of the Group on today s global stage as well as possible direction ahead. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.) Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand 4 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 5

5 Visions and perspectives of the Group of 77 in pursuit of economic advancement and development cooperation 6 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 7

6 H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand addresses the Group of 77 at the 40 th Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77, 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. The Strength of the Global South: The Thai Perspective he Chairmanship of the Group of 77 in 2016 presented Thailand with a serious responsibility to represent and protect the interests of the TGlobal South in the international arena. It was a responsibility that Thailand took to heart. The tasks at hands From the very start, Thailand recognized that the tasks at hand in the coming year were as inspirational as they were challenging. First, we were taking on the tremendous guardianship of a legacy. Through the years, the G77 had materialized itself into a proud and effective negotiating bloc. It had become well regarded as a responsible and pivotal partner in multilateral forums. Second, the distinct challenge in 2016 was to lay down the bricks for effective implementation of the lofty aspirations committed to in This meant working to establish foundational structures. It meant laying down strong footing on development work for years to come. We recognized very early on that Thailand s stewardship of the Group was successful only because of the dynamism and dedication of all members of the Group. The long list of tasks stretched from main committee work to major intergovernmental processes to conferences, namely, the 2016 High-Level Political Forum, the inaugural ECOSOC Forum for financing for development follow-up, the Mid-term Review Conference of the Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs, Habitat III, the Follow-up and Review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level resolution and the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR). Moreover, the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement put Thailand in the position to have to ensure that the pre-2020 ambition is enhanced and that the path to implementation of the Agreement is on the right track. These tasks required an army of talent behind us. We became a force to be reckoned with, for the good of the Global South. A bridge builder for genuine partnership Thailand also accepted very early on that unlocking genuine partnership was another powerful catalyst in moving forward any agenda of mutual interest. We were also mindful of the need to advance, in that respect, in a manner that was meaningful to our people. It had to do justice to people-centred development. It had to advance the organization of the United Nations in a fair direction for the Global South. This was a tall order. But we knew it was possible if we worked effectively with partners. With the backdrop of the unequal distribution of power, the inadequacies and distortion of the current global trading, financial and economic system and their unbalanced governance structure, we needed to build a bridge to partners. We needed to engage in critical conversations as equals, with common goals. Financing the 2030 Agenda and pushing for adequate resources was an uphill struggle. But as Chair, it was our duty and responsibility. Empowering the Global South The first duty we saw was investing in the shared future of the Group. Thailand contributed 520,000 US Dollars to the Pérez-Guerrero Trust H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Fund (PGTF) for South-South Cooperation. We did this for the simple belief in the immeasurable return on this type of investment. We wanted to expand meaningful cooperation by and for the people and countries of the Global South. In commemoration of the 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand also made available 70 scholarships to those from the Global South to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. The 40 th Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77, 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. 8 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 9

7 Thailand also organized different meetings to revitalize traditional mainstays of the Group to further foster South-South Cooperation, as well as the coherence and coordination of the Group on a global level. 1 Mindful of the many diverse and emerging as well as core interests of the Group, Thailand also invested in other important meetings and activities throughout the year. As emerging and current issues are increasingly of a technical nature, Thailand organized knowledge building activities, critical to enabling developing countries to better understand the issues and contribute to enhancing the unity of the Group in negotiations. 2 Among our feats We also realized early on that anything is possible if you have solidarity. Thailand saw an opportunity to further leverage the position and centrality of the Group of 77 as a force for the Global South by forging new territory, solidifying common interests and mending deep divides. The Group explored and worked together on important emerging and current issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the formal consideration of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and engagement in the new selection process for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Group also managed to crystalize its common interests on the working methods of a functional commission on population and development that had previously considered deeply divisive issues for the Group. Finally, the Group regained its ability to overcome difficult and delicate conversations, in particular on what constitutes family. In the process, we managed to strengthen our family. We also managed to recover our critical and common interests on the issues of ageing and social development. These opportunities were possible in large part because of the willingness and flexibility of all members of the Group, for which there were other numerous occasions in the past year to come together, whether informally through negotiations on the HIV/AIDS Political Declaration or formally through the adoption of the New Urban Agenda. Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: Thailand s gift to an unsustainable world At the same time, Thailand wanted to memorialize our Chairmanship with what we have long viewed as the saving grace of the Kingdom through the adverse impacts of globalization. Thailand wanted to share with the Group a philosophy that we have long held dear. It is a 1 High-level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South on South-South Cooperation during 9-10 March 2016 in Bangkok; 47th meeting of the Chairs/Coordinators of the Chapters of the Group of 77, on 11 March 2016 in Bangkok. 2 Workshop on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction on 16 March 2016 in New York; G-77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development during 4-5 May 2016 in Pattaya, Thailand; G77 Meeting on ICT for Sustainable Development on 1 March 2016 in Bangkok; G-77 Workshop for Second Committee to prepare for the Group for 71st UNGA by providing analytical information about the work of the Committee, highlighting key issues that require special attention by the Group and identifying the steps to be taken by the Group in the preparation of resolutions and consultations in New York; G-77 Seminar on Sovereign Debt Vulnerabilities and the Opportunity for a New Debt Workout Mechanism Building on the UNGA Process and G-77 workshop on Strategies for Advancing Work on a New Debt Workout Mechanism Building on the UNGA process on 31 October 2016 in New York; series of Ambassadorial Briefings in New York on important issues such as AMR, UNCTAD XIV, the continuing withdrawal of developed countries from UNIDO. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand (center) welcomes Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of G77 and Kingsley Mamabolo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa, Chair of the G77 for 2015, 29 November 2015, the Government House philosophy that has catapulted Thailand to the upper middle-income country it is today, and which will now be one of the enduring legacies of our revered late King. It was in a sense, our gift to an unsustainable world. Throughout the year, we set out to share our Sufficiency Economy Philosophy through a series of activities aimed at the creation of SEP for SDG Partnership. The idea was to promote partnership among members of the Group on the application of SEP for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. SEP focuses on the economics of moderation, resilience and self-immunity guided by knowledge as well as SEP focuses on the economics of moderation, resilience and self-immunity guided by knowledge as well as ethics and moral considerations. ethics and moral considerations. Its overarching aim is to harmonize the economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects of development. The series of meetings underlined the universal application of the SEP to different areas of development, from agriculture to community management, education and public administration. 10 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 11

8 They also tried to foster a sustainability mindset and practice in the private sector. 3 During the Fortieth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77, Thailand was encouraged to see the Ministers welcome the fruitful and productive discussion on SEP for Sustainable Development Goals under the leadership of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand as Chair of the Group of 77. The meeting provided an important platform to share best practices, experiences and homegrown approaches to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Final thoughts as we pass the torch One final observation throughout Thailand s role as Chair can be summed up in three concepts: common interest, flexibility and trust. The diversity of the Group is undeniable. But what binds us together is common interest. The ability of the Chair to identify that common interest, and to gain the Member States trust were what enabled Member States with the flexibility and patience to come together to leverage our solidarity for our common aims. Trust is something that is earned. Through 3 G-77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: An Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals during February 2016 in Bangkok; SEP in Business: A G-77 Forum on the Implementation of the SDGs during 1 2 June 2016 in Bangkok; and G-77 Retreat : A Discourse on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Sustainable and Resilient Communities during 30 September 1 October 2016 in Vermont Thailand s Chairmanship, we invested in our ability to earn and maintain that trust, in order to strengthen Group solidarity throughout the year. This meant reaching out to each and every member of the Group. It meant truly listening to their concerns. It meant putting the Group s interests ahead of national interests. It meant recognizing that the real strength of the Group comes from all of its Member States. In the end, another concluding observation that will leave an indelible mark on Thailand comes from the many proud moments made possible not only through the flexibility and trust of Member States but through their dynamism, ingenuity and professionalism. In the final equation, Thailand is humbled for the opportunity to have led such a catalytic force for the Global South. We are also deeply appreciative of the opportunity to share with the Group the country s proud development legacy on SEP. The future is full of possibilities for G77. But we must continue to build and strengthen our solidarity, not only on critical issues such as the QCPR, revitalizing global partnership, the We will continue to stay true to our chosen theme of our Chairmanship, From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development and ultimately, for the Global South. financing and the management of the Organization, and implementing and financing the 2030 Agenda, but also on emerging and new issues in public health and other areas. We must remain relevant. We must dare to spark conversations on difficult issues and find the common interest that binds us here in New York. We must deliver for our people at home. As founding member and one-time Chair of G77, Thailand has learned invaluable lessons this past year. We will continue to be a staunch supporter of the Group. Although our Chairmanship has ended, we will continue to stay true to our chosen theme of our Chairmanship, From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development and ultimately, for the Global South. 12 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 13

9 developing countries. It is surely a tribute to the solidarity and collective spirit of our membership that ensured that the Group was able to pursue significant outcomes that protected the interests of developing countries and advanced the development agenda of the South, including reasserting the principle of people centred development. H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo (right), Permanent Representative of South Africa and Chair of the G77, addresses the 46th Meeting of the Chairpersons of the G77. Also pictured (background centre): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 26 March 2015, United Nations, New York Achievements of the Group of 77 and China during South Africa s Chairship of the Group (11 January January 2016) 1. INTRODUCTION We live in a world in which global economic relations are characterised by uncertainty and imbalances that result in the continued marginalization of developing countries. In this regard, South Africa s Chairship of the G77 and China sought to reaffirm the principles of the Group and strengthen its unity, cohesion and vision of a fair and equitable multilateral system. South Africa undertook to spare no effort in continuing to ensure that we collectively enhanced the development agenda of the South. The year 2015 was a momentous year in the history of the United Nations. As the organisation celebrated its 70th anniversary, it reaffirmed its role as the premier body seized with advancing multilateralism witnessed negotiations and agreement on significant multilateral outcomes which will guide global economic, social and environmental development Agenda for decades to come. In all these processes, the Group of 77 and China played a crucial role in pursuing the interests of the millions of people living in 2. THE ADDIS ABABA ACTION AGENDA On 16 July 2015, our leaders meeting in Ethiopia adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development. The concrete policies and actions outlined in the Action Agenda complement and support the Means of Implementation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the context of a framework of a revitalized global partnership for development. The G77 and China constructively engaged in this process and sought a meaningful and ambitious financing for development outcome relevant to the needs of developing countries. We are pleased to note that the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda has ensured that important objectives set by the G77 and China such as the enhanced global partnership for development; the need to further strengthen international commitments towards financing for development; and the full and timely implementation of existing commitments were reemphasized. 3. THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT On 24 September 2015, a few days prior to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of South Africa and Chair of the G77 for 2015 Development, our Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, H.E. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane remarked to the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of this Group that the success and strength of the Group lay in the perpetual forging of alliances between countries of the South. The Minister reaffirmed that, the Group of 77 and China has made notable contributions over the years to the effective functioning of the United Nations System. As the largest grouping of States within the UN system, the Group of 77 and China has played a fundamental role in crafting international economic policies and relations, narrowing the gap between developing and developed countries. The Group could therefore legitimately claim a large part of the credit for advancing the interest of marginalised people of the world within the UN system. The 2030 Agenda is a blueprint aimed at eradicating poverty in all its forms. It contributes towards moving the world forward in the realization 14 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 15

10 of the United Nation s Charter vision of social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. Our Group s resolve during the negotiation process ensured that the 2030 Agenda is built on the Millennium Development Goals and that all three dimensions of sustainable development are equally reflected. We are also pleased that this global development agenda recognises the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment that most of us, as As the largest grouping of States within the UN system, the Group of 77 and China has played a fundamental role in crafting international economic policies and relations, narrowing the gap between developing and developed countries. negotiations. Developing countries were united in Nairobi in reaffirming the centrality of the DDA to the WTO and the negotiations. Moving forward, it will be crucial for developing countries to maintain this unity. It is vital for developing countries that the WTO is a global forum that advocates for the reform of the international trading regime, in response to persisting distortions and imbalances. developing countries, continue to face. Of significance in the 2030 Agenda is the reflection of the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) which recognises our different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respects our national policies and priorities. Another major achievement for the G77 and China has been the reference to the right to development; and removing the obstacles to the full realization of the right of self-determination of people living under colonial and foreign occupation. The focus should now move to ensuring that over the next 15 years, we work together nationally, regionally and globally to deliver on sustainable development by focusing on the means of implementation of the goals and targets. 4. THE PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE At the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015, the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) unanimously adopted the Paris Agreement and a package of supporting decisions covering climate action in the pre - and post periods. This historic outcome marks the successful conclusion of a four-year negotiation process under the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. The G77 and China, demonstrating an unprecedented level of unity and cohesion, played a leadership role in the negotiations that led to this outcome. It is no exaggeration to say that there would not have been a Paris Agreement without the G77 and China s highly constructive contributions on both substance and process. The strong solidarity within our diverse Group ensured that developing countries remained central in the climate change negotiations until the very end. The ten sub-groups of the G77 and China in the climate change negotiations agreed to abide by a slogan they coined of Do No Harm to Each Other and Leave No One Behind. In South Africa s view, this ought to be a guiding principle for the G77 and China in all its work going forward, as it speaks to the very essence of what this Group stands for. It is essential that the G77 and China remains united and firmly focused on ensuring that the Paris Agreement is fairly and effectively implemented and that existing commitments in the pre-2020 period are honoured. 5. THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE SYSTEM Global inequities in the international trade system continue to impact on the ability of developing countries to accelerate their social and economic development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights the importance of addressing this challenge, particularly through multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Progress was made at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, held in Nairobi, Kenya, during December 2015, on Least Developed Countries issues. It was however regrettable from a broader developing country perspective that there was no agreement on reaffirming the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) as the framework for the continued 6. OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROCESSES OF 2015 During 2015, other significant processes where the members of the Group effectively pursued its principled objectives included: the UN Forum on Forests resolution; the adoption of a resolution on the basic principles on Sovereign Debt Restructuring; the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction ; the adoption of Resolution 69/292 on 19 June 2015 pertaining to the development of an international legally-binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction; and the adoption of the Outcome Document of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Overall Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes. 7. CONCLUSION A strong and robust multilateral system is in the interest of developing countries and the G77 and China shares the collective commitment to improving the efficient and effective functioning of the United Nations, in particular through the adequate resourcing of the organisation to deliver on its mandates. 16 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 17

11 ECUADOR S G77 CHAIRMANSHIP IN 2017: PERSPECTIVES AND VISION In 2017 Ecuador will receive from States of United Nations have adopted a the Kingdom of Thailand the roadmap towards sustainable development in great responsibility to chair the different process such as the Sendai Framework Group of 77 and China. For for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Ecuador, to speak on behalf of Action Agenda, the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable developing countries in the United Nations, Development, the Paris Agreement, and in the constitutes an honor and an opportunity to New Urban Agenda. Now it is the time for an continue the positive work of the Kingdom of effective implementation towards a sustainable Thailand in the promotion of equality in the future emphasizing real actions, assessing international economic and social order and the progress, identifying obstacles and challenges interests of the developing world. to the implementation of those international Ecuador subscribes to the ideals and agreements, in light of the Principle of Common objectives that have guided the Group since 1964 but Differentiated Responsibilities, the capacity and will focus their efforts in promoting the and level of development of each country and principles of unity, complementarity, cooperation the Right to Development. It will be essential the and solidarity of the developing countries and provision of adequate means of implementation, their determination to strive for economic and particularly technology transfer and to foster social development, individually or collectively. sustainable fiscal and finance policies, such as During the last three intense years Member to scale up international tax cooperation, combating illicit financial flows and to strive to eliminate safe havens that create incentives for transfer abroad of stolen assets and illicit financial flows. The Agenda 2030 recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is the greatest global challenge. For Ecuador, poverty eradication will be achieved only by tackling inequalities at the national and international levels. Poverty eradication is not merely an economic subject. This common goal requires our strong and steadfast political will. Ecuador, as G77 Chairman, will make special emphasize in the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as, other international instruments relating to human rights and international law. Regarding our common pledge that no one will be left behind, Ecuador stresses the importance to advance in meeting the sustainable development challenges of all persons, particularly for those in vulnerable situations, migrants and indigenous peoples, eliminating discrimination and all forms of violence and ensuring public participation providing safe and equal access for all. Ecuador emphasizes that gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is fundamentally linked to sustainable development and the important role of women in sustained and inclusive economic growth. Ecuador will consider that sustained and inclusive economic growth is necessary for sustainable development. In this regard economic policies should focus on social inclusion with opportunities for all, promoting infrastructure, interconnectivity, productivity and basic services. Likewise, it is essential a new trade and investment framework among States, one that is based on justice, solidarity, and complementarity. H.E. Mr. Horacio Sevilla Borja, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations, Chair of the G77 for 2017 According with the Group position, Ecuador will further promote the determination of G77 Member States to protect the planet s ecosystems and biodiversity, to foster sustainable consumption and production patterns; building resilience; reducing disaster risks; and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Acknowledging the natural and cultural diversity of the world, Ecuador recognizes the role and the potential of culture as a driver of sustainable development. Ecuador highlights the importance of South-South cooperation as a strategy to sustain the development efforts of developing countries in solidarity and will work in favor of the consolidation of existing mechanisms of South- South cooperation, including the establishment of a United Nations specialized agency for South- South cooperation. Ecuador is encouraged by the remarkable work and leadership shown by the Kingdom of Thailand during its tenure as Chair of the Group of 77. We will continue promoting initiatives such as the G-77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: An Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Business. 18 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 19

12 The Kingdom of Thailand, a founding member of the Group of 77, has always been a strong supporter of the vision, principles, and objectives of the Group of 77, with a deep sense of commitment to the cause of the South. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand (right) with Mourad Ahmia, Excutive Secretary of the G77 (center) and H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, Chair of the G77 for 2016 (left), 12 January 2016, G77 Secretariat, United Nations, New York The Group of 77 s Roadmap: From Algiers in 1967 to Bangkok in 2016 hen it was established on 15 June 1964, the signing nations of the well-known Joint Declaration of Seventy Seven wcountries formed the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations to articulate and promote their collective interests and common development agenda. Since the First Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 (G-77) held in Algiers, Algeria from 10 to 25 October 1967, and the adoption of the Charter of Algiers, the G-77 has laid down the institutional mechanisms, structures and methods of work that have globally contributed to the G-77 s evolution and transformation and thereby shaped the international development agenda and the landscape of the global South for the past five decades. Indeed, 2017 will mark the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Charter of Algiers, the first major platform in the history of the G-77. The Group was created with the objective to collectively boost the role and influence of developing countries on the global stage when it became clear that political independence, to be meaningful, required changes in the economic relations between the North and South. Thus, political independence needed to be accompanied by economic diplomacy with the ultimate objective of the reform of the international economic order and financial architecture. Today, the G-77 represents the largest coalition of developing nations and remains a vital negotiating instrument in economic multilateral diplomacy, and for ensuring international peace and justice through international cooperation for development within the framework of the United Nations. This has been the thrust of the joint expression of South-South solidarity since the Group s creation, and its collective voice has spread through its six Chapters to every institution and international organization representing the hopes and aspirations of the majority of humanity. In this context, the G-77 remains a vital operational mechanism in multilateral economic diplomacy within the United Nations system. Its growing membership is proof of its enduring strength. From 77 founding member states in 1964 to 133 and counting, it is the largest intergovernmental organization of the global South dealing with the Development Agenda. The forging of stronger ties with China since its first association with the Group beginning in 1991 have been mutually beneficial. It is remarkable that with such a diverse membership and without a formal constitution it has managed to endure the world s political and economic turbulences 20 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 21

13 During 2016, under the most able leadership of Ambassador Virachai Plasai as Chair in New York, Thailand has earned the confidence of all the Member States by prevailing in a struggle which in many ways defines the essence of the aspirations and interests of the Group of 77. The same fighting spirit forged in the struggle over injustice and inequality is needed today to overcome inequity in international economic relations. to South-South cooperation was also notable in its renewed support to the Group s Executive Secretariat and to South-South cooperation including through its generous contribution to the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation. Overall, the year 2016 will be remembered as a challenging year for the Group of 77. By any measure, it was a dynamic and forward-looking period that contributed to yet another year of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States in their final declaration expressed their deep appreciation to Thailand for its able leadership and for the excellent work and tireless efforts as the Chair country of the Group of 77 for H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand presents Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the G77 Secretariat, with a token of appreciation at the Group s Ministerial Meeting, 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. for over five decades and remained true to its of commitment to the cause of the South. As a original mission in promoting the United Nations developing country with a rich development development agenda, international cooperation experience, pioneer of the concept of for development and South-South cooperation. Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as an approach The Kingdom of Thailand, a founding to development, Thailand recognizes fully the member of the Group of 77, has always been a foundations of developing countries struggles strong supporter of the vision, principles, and to achieve economic independence and objectives of the Group of 77, with a deep sense self-reliance. Looking back, from the moment Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai took the Chair s gavel in January 2016 in New York at the handover ceremony, Thailand s Chairmanship was marked by intense, hard and lengthy negotiations that resulted in positive outcomes for the Group. The achievements made under the wise and skillful leadership of Ambassador Virachai Plasai supported by the Thai coordination team in New York, Bangkok, Warsaw (climate change focal point) and all G-77 Chapter, could not have been fully achieved without the solidarity and collective spirit of the Member States to articulate and promote common interests and enhance joint negotiating capacity on all major issues despite having to withstand extreme pressures and numerous attempts to erode the Group s solidarity. Thailand s valuable contribution achievements and accomplishments for the Group. The tenacity and dedication shown by Thailand as Chair country in pursuing the goals and objectives of the Group of 77 was a source of profound gratitude. On the occasion of their 40 th ministerial meeting held in New York on 23 September 2016 chaired by Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha (ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States in their final declaration expressed their deep appreciation to Thailand for its able leadership and for the excellent work and tireless efforts as the Chair country of the Group of 77 for This is a most fitting tribute to Thailand s strength, perseverance and vision in pursuing with commitment the cause of development, leaving an inedible inscription in the annals of the Group of G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 23

14 List of Activities under Thailand s Chaimanship of the Group of 77 for G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 25

15 The Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77, 12 January 2016, New York On 12 January 2016, Thailand was honoured to take over the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 for 2016 from South Africa at a handover ceremony held at the United Nations Headquaters, New York. This honour is the first for a Southeast Asian country. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand delivered a statement on priority issues to be pursued during Thailand s Chairmanship. Along with the representatives from 134 member countries, the ceremony was witnessed by key figures of the UN and the Group of 77, namely, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ambassador Kairat Addrakhmanov, Acting-President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the Group of 77 and H.E. Mr. Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. 26 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 27

16 The Handover Ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77, 12 January 2016, New York H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations (left), H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand (centre), H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan and Acting PGA (right) H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (centre) receives the G77 Chair s gavel from H.E. Mr. Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa (right). Secretary-General of the United Nations (left), Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (right) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (left), Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan and Acting PGA (right) From left to right, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, Thailand announces the theme of her Chairmanship Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development with full commitment to drive the implementation Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development throughout the first year after it s adoption in H.E. Mr. Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations 28 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 29

17 Thailand hosted a Dinner Talk on Implementing 2030 Agenda for SDGs: Challenges and Opportunities by Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi Dinner Reception hosted by Thailand on the Occasion of Thailand s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 for G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 31

18 STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. DON PRAMUDWINAI, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND FOR THE HANDOVER CEREMONY OF THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE GROUP OF 77 H.E. Mr. Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan and Acting President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the G-77, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, On behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, I am truly honored to accept the responsibility entrusted to us by the members of the Group of 77 and China, as Chair of the Group for the year I would like to commend South Africa for its admirable and able chairmanship, especially South African strong leadership and tireless efforts during the negotiation processes leading up to the adoptions of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and the Paris Agreement. South Africa s will be a tough act for future Chairs to follow and I know that. But Thailand is ready. In this connection, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Asia-Pacific Group for nominating Thailand, and to the G-77 members for placing your trust and confidence in us to carry out this important responsibility of coordinating and representing the interests and needs of the developing countries. You can be sure that we will bring our experience as former Chair of the Nairobi, Vienna and Geneva G-77 Chapters fully to bear in this respect. Excellencies, The year 2015 was a momentous one not only for the UN which celebrates its 70th anniversary, but also for the international community, due to the conjunction of four important international conferences: (1) the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, (2) the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, (3) the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 in New York, and (4) the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. These major international conferences marked just the beginning of our collective work. The real challenges lie in the implementation and the follow-up, to ensure that we continue to New York, 12 January 2016 proceed on the right track. If we succeed, we would be able to lift the livelihood of millions to a new height. In assuming the chairmanship, Thailand is well aware of these challenges, but does not consider them insurmountable. We have chosen the theme From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development as our underpinning principle. It will serve as the driving force in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in the mobilization of all necessary resources for the implementation of Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Excellencies, Please allow me to share with you some thoughts on the priority issues we wish to pursue under our chairmanship. First and foremost, we will push for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. In line with our theme, we will seek to pursue inclusive development, allowing for the active involvement of all stakeholders. Therefore, we see the need to ensure that the priorities and challenges of the Group of 77 s members - especially the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS - are adequately taken into account and comprehensively addressed and that commitments made by developed countries to developing countries are duly honoured. At the same time, we will need to continue to draw on good practices among our members on how to proceed on the development path. Each of us will surely have something to share in this area. For Thailand, we have been implementing a growth and development model inspired by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of our King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Although called a Philosophy, the King s notion of Sufficiency Economy is more a practice - a model for sustainable development that focuses on transforming the economics of exploitation into the economics of moderation and resilience. It also seeks to harmonise the economic, social and environmental aspects of development. In this way, our development will not be at the cost of future generations. The idea of Sufficiency Economy can be applied to all sectors and at all levels, starting with the individual. It can also be used as a means of achieving the SDGs. For example, because it encourages people to live a sufficient life in accordance with personal capacities and capabilities as well as fosters good business practices that focus on good governance, sustainable commercialism and responsibility to society, it fits in with SDG 12: responsible consumption and production. When considered in the context of the agricultural sector, Sufficiency Economy encourages a holistic farm management system that aims to minimise farmers vulnerability and promote sustainability, food security, water preservation and biodiversity. This aligns with SDG 1: Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger. At the macroeconomic level, practicing Sufficiency Economy in these times of global economic volatility will also help us to cope, boosting our resilience to shocks, internal and external. Thailand has been sharing our experiences and best practices in the application of Sufficiency Economy as a growth and development model with interested developing countries through various cooperation frameworks, including numerous bilateral development projects undertaken by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency, or TICA. And under our chairmanship, we plan to hold a G-77 and China experts meeting, as well as a high-level thematic meeting, to share our experiences with the wider membership of the Group in this area as well as pool our collective wisdom on approaches to sustainable development. Thailand stands ready to continue to offer our experiences and best practices to interested countries as a contribution to our common effort to achieve the SDGs. Excellencies, The second priority issue under Thailand s G-77 chairmanship will be to further promote South-South Cooperation. We pledge our firm commitment to working closely with all members for the cause of South-South Cooperation because we see it as not only a necessary means to enhance our individual capacities in tackling common emerging challenges, but also as a strategy for revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development. Thailand plans to host the High-level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South in March 2016 to explore how to further strengthen South-South Cooperation. We also wish to see the early convening of the 3rd South Summit, where G-77 and China leaders can discuss and redefine our Group s development strategy in light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Furthermore, to add new dimensions to South-South Cooperation, Thailand will organize expert meetings on ICT and on investment to explore ways and means of enhancing cooperation in these areas in order to realise sustainable development. Of course, without adequate financial resources, it would be difficult to achieve anything tangible for South-South Cooperation. Thailand is therefore pleased to announce a special contribution of 520,000 US Dollars to the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation to support the Group s economic and technical cooperation activities. We hope to welcome additional contributions from other members of the Group. Thailand as chair will also ensure that the G-77 continues to play a pivotal role in relation to the United Nations budgetary and administrative issues. Without adequate funding, it would be very difficult for the United Nations to achieve its existing and newly created mandates, especially those arising from the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The third priority issue will be to build resilience in response to the impact of climate change and reduce the risks of disasters in an effective and timely manner. Different countries have different capabilities; therefore, it is very important to promote North-South as well as South-South cooperation to help build the capacity of countries that lag behind, keeping in mind the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. With an historic agreement in Paris, we need to work together and in partnership with our development partners to ensure that what has been agreed upon will be fully honoured and effectively implemented. And last but not least, as I mentioned earlier, we will try to further strengthen coordination and collaboration between the different chapters of the Group to ensure that our interests and concerns are comprehensively addressed in a well-coordinated manner. In this connection, Thailand will host the 48th Annual Meeting of the Chairmen of the G-77 and China Chapters in Bangkok in March 2016 to maximise use of in-depth knowledge and expertise from our various chapters. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The greatest strength and bargaining power of the Group of 77 and China lies in our ability to maintain and negotiate as a united front. Thailand will do our utmost to maintain and promote our unity in diversity in pursuing vigorously our common cause of sustainable development through the United Nations-led global partnership. And stronger together we shall become. I thank you once again for the opportunity for Thailand to take up this responsibility. 32 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 33

19 The G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, February 2016, Bangkok The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand hosted the G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals during February 2016 in Bangkok. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister delivered his opening statement. It was an occasion for Thailand to to put in the global spotlight the country s growth and development model inspired by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej as one of the means to achieve the SDGs. Around 120 participants attended the Roundtable, including representatives of the G77 from both 34 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 the Permanent Missions in New York or Embassies in Bangkok, foreign and local experts on sustainable d e v e l o p m e n t, re p re s e n t a t i v e s f ro m i n t e r n a t i o n a l organisations, as well as stakeholders from Thailand s public, private and academic sectors. The participants also made a fieldtrip to Chachoengsao province to visit the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center and Baan Song sub-district to gain better insight on SEP s successful applications. The Bangkok Roundtable is the first conference of the G77 convened in Thailand since the country assumed the Group s Chairmanship for From Vision to Action 35

20 The G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, February 2016, Bangkok The session on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: an Approach to Sustainable Development on 29 February 2016 with moderator (centre) Mr. Steven J. Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific and speakers (from left to right) Mr. Majid Dehghan Shoar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to FAO, Former Chairman of G77 in Rome and Professor of Agricultural Science (Seed Technology) Prof. Gayle C. Avery, Macquarie Graduate School of Management (Australia), Prof. Aree Wiboonpongse, Dean Faculty of Economics, Prince of Songkla University (Songkla, Thailand) and Mr. Shun-ichi Murata, Former Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Chairman of Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation (TSDF) address the audience at the opening session. The session on From Vision to Action: Success Stories of the Application of SEP on 29 February 2016 with moderator (centre) Mr. Alex Mavro, Chief of Operations, Sasin Center for Sustainability Management (SCSM), Chulalongkorn University and speakers (from left to right) Mr. Ntitia Tuoane, Project Coordinator and acting Director of the Department of Field Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mrs. Saipirun Noisiri, Deputy Director - General, Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior of Thailand, U Hkam Awng, Director of Myanmar Programme, Mae Fah Luang Foundation (under Royal Patronage), Mr. Marcos da Cruz, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Timor-Leste H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, heads of G77 delegations, panelists and moderators pose for a group photo on 29 February 2016 in Bangkok. Interactive discussion of the G77 delegates during the morning session on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: an Approach to Sustainable Development on 29 February February 2016, Chachoengsao province - G 77 delegates hear a briefing at the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center about soil and waste management projects following a sustainable development model based on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). 36 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 37

21 Statement by His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals Bangkok, 29 Febraury 2016 Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation, Representatives of Member Countries of the Group of 77, Ambassadors, Excellencies and Distinguished Participants, 28 February 2016, Chachoengsao province - G77 delegates visited Baan Song sub-district to receive briefing on the local community s management and projects that have been successful in applying SEP. They also observe demonstrations on farming technique, organic fertilizer production, and rice milling demonstration. 1. On behalf of the Thai people, it is my pleasure to welcome all the representatives of the Group of 77 countries and distinguished participants to Thailand. It is a great honour for Thailand to be entrusted with the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 in We are committed to doing our best in this role, particularly in advancing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Last September, I myself joined with other world leaders in adopting the 2030 Agenda. We all share the common aspiration to see the world develop in a sustained and balanced manner in the next 15 years. 2. Today our world is facing many immediate challenges, be it poverty, hunger, inequality, natural disaster, climate change, flood, drought, the volatility of agricultural commodity prices, the fragile global financial system, conflicts over resources, food security, energy security, even access to clean water, armed conflict, 28 February 2016, Chachoengsao province - G77 delegates at the Soil Museum at the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center 28 February 2016, Chachoengsao province - G77 delegates tried rice milling demonstration at Baan Song sub-district social and political violences, and the fact that people are compelled to leave their homes and countries to seek better lives elsewhere. Our path towards this world that we aspire to see in the next 15 years is not smooth or paved. Without help from one another, sustainable development will be just another unreachable goal for many countries. 3. Thailand, like other countries, is facing the same challenges. Even though the number of Thai people living in poverty has dropped continuously from percent in 1990 to percent in 2014, and Thailand nearly achieved all of the Millennium Development Goals, inequalities still persist. The gap between the rich and poor continues to widen, while we are also facing with environmental problems, such as deforestation and threats to our natural resources. These are all challenges that Thailand shares with many countries, so we all must attach great importance to bringing about inclusive growth and green growth. Opening remarks by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand on 29 February 2016 in Bangkok. 4. A key turning point for our country is the 1997 financial crisis. We realized that being overly reliant on the global economy, exports, and the global financial market, without building strength and resilience from within, would leave the country fragile and susceptible to external shocks. Many businesses and entrepreneurs went bankrupt, and people became unemployed. It was fortunate that Thailand is a country with an extensive agricultural sector. Therefore, many people returned to their homes in the countryside to grow vegetables, to farm fish, and in the process realized that they were able to survive happily and sufficiently without having to subject themselves to the uncertain global market. 38 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 39

22 5. Having said that, it does not mean that we will close down our country or do not see the importance of the global market. This is usually a common misconception about the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. 6. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy does not teach us to under-produce or to consume thriftily. It stresses that, whatever we do in our life, it must be based on knowledge, understanding and reason. It must be proportionate to our needs and our circumstances which vary from one person to another. Whatever we do, we must do it with mindfulness and with full conscience. While we gain, we must not harm others or the society or the environment. Sustainable development will be achieved only by starting with this kind of thinking. 7. The key to the success of sustainable development, be it at the individual-, community- or national- level, is to instill the right mindset, which will lead to right actions. Starting at the individual level, in all areas such as consumption, production, business practices, and sustainable agricultural and industrial development, we must remind ourselves that we are all inter beings, we are all parts of the same value chain, and our actions can cause both positive and negative impacts on one another. 8. Thailand has adopted the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which emphasizes people-centred approach, as our guiding principle for development for more than 40 years. Since people are the main driving force for development, we must empower people at both individual- and family-levels. Once members of society are strong, then our community and country will be strong. Thailand has faced many crises in the past, including the 1997 economic crisis, the 2004 tsunami and the 2007 global financial crisis, but we were able to recover and emerge from those crises speedily. 9. Many of you who had a chance to visit the Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre yesterday, must have witnessed that, after adopting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, the land was successfully turned from being degraded to being fertile, communities were strengthened and quality of life has improved. 10 Aside from the Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre, there are six more royal development projects based on different geography and sociological conditions. 11. Countries facing desertification could benefit from knowledge and know-how on the reinvigoration of soil erosion in dry and sandy soils at the Huai Sai Royal Development Centre in the Lower Central Region of Thailand. SIDS or countries with coastal areas could learn about fishery, aquaculture management and marine resources conservation at the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre in the Eastern part of Thailand. Mountainous countries could learn about forestry, soil and water resources development at the Huay Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre in the Northern part of Thailand. Countries facing degraded soil conditions, such as acid, peat soil or infertile soil, could benefit from the development projects at the Puparn and Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Centre in the Northeast and Southern part of Thailand. 12. The development approach, which is based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, is therefore not a ready-made development model or a one-size-fits-all model. It is an approach that can be applied to different circumstances of each country. Thailand has supported and exchanged knowledge and best practices on sustainable development with our friends in the region and beyond through scholarships, site visits and development projects such as in Lesotho, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos PDR, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Jordan, Senegal and Mozambique, as you will hear about them this afternoon. 13. What I have just said reflects one of the core concepts of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy called explosion from within. The concept emphasizes that community development needs to come from within, basing on their own strength and resilience to changes. The Royal Thai Government has pursued development policies, based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, to empower people starting from more than 24,000 villages. We have supported local SMEs and cooperatives, added values to local products, and allocated village funds. When our social and economic foundation at village-level is secure, then this security could be further extended to provincial-, regional- and national- levels, as well as to neighboring countries and regional and global economy. 14. While government could start, support and encourage its people, each community needs to build its own strength, develop human resources, and enhance capacity, competitiveness, and resilience from within. Therefore, my Government attaches great importance to the grassroots development policy, known as a State of the People policy, in order to address fundamental economic problems and to catalyze national development by multi-stakeholder cooperation including through public-private partnership, financing and innovation for development of SMEs, adding values to agricultural commodities, One Tumbon (or village), One SME project, connecting local products to marketing networks both domestically and internationally and enhancing start-up companies, known as Thailand Startup policy. 15. Thailand believes that the development approach based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy is universal. It can be applied in many circumstances, at all levels and in all contexts. It can yield concrete results and tangible outcomes in not only the agricultural sector, rural areas, or developing countries, but also in all countries regardless of their levels of development. It can be applied in industrial, business, economic, financial, and government sectors, in small communities or large metropolises. Everyone, be they politicians, government officials, farmers, entrepreneurs, can adopt the Philosophy as their guiding concept. One example is the application of the New Theory of Agriculture by prioritizing the production planning that is resilient to uncertainties of climate and market fluctuations. Other examples are risk management in the business sector, corporate social responsibility, conducting business with mindfulness to possible negative impacts to the environment, and the efficient uses of resources. We can see concrete examples from sugar companies producing biological gas from waste, and recycling companies producing environmental friendly products. Other examples are disaster preparedness and response which focuses on community empowerment, promoting ethics in political and bureaucratic institutions, enhancing comprehensive and balanced public policy planning and fiscal and monetary policies which incorporate risk management, creating a resilient national economic system. All these can be applied to any country, developed or developing country alike. 16. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy is therefore a way of life. It is a way of life based on virtue and balance, just like a vaccine that immunizes one from the diseases of imprudence, uncertainties, and deteriorations caused by negative impacts from economic, social, and environment. Thailand stands ready to share our best practices in the applications of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. 17. Thailand believes that the development approach based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy is in line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda and can be one of the approaches to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is given the fact that the Philosophy stresses the importance of development which brings about growth and incomes, and enhances the well-being of all people, while not destroying the environment. It also aims to sustainably benefit the common public good and allow for the inclusive participation of all social groups, leaving no one behind. 18. To cite some concrete examples, the New Theory of Agriculture could support the realization of SDGs 1 and 2 to end poverty and hunger by contributing to food security. The application of the Philosophy in the educational sector by promoting lifelong learning opportunities, while encouraging interaction with local communities and the surrounding environment, will support the realization of SDG 4 to ensure quality education and promote lifelong learning for all. In the business sector, importance is attached to human resources development, accountability to employees and stakeholders, sound risk management with prudent investment focusing on core competence. This will support the realization of SDG 8 to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In the industrial development sector, the Government has developed the industrial code of conduct based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy known as Industrial Standard 9999 to promote sustainable and eco-friendly industry development with accountability to all stakeholders. This will support the realization of SDG 9. Many industries in Thailand have successfully applied this industrial standard. In fact, individuals, small and large firms, could all apply the concept of moderation and reasonableness to our daily life and conduct. This will support the achievement of SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production. 19. Lastly, sustainable development can only be achieved when all countries, both developed and developing, North and South, come together and leave no one behind. Developing countries must help one another. We must serve to enhance food security for one another and for the world. Developed countries can certainly support developing countries on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through capacity building as well as science, technology and innovation. 20. Thailand realizes that many countries have their own development approaches. We stand ready to exchange experiences with all the Group of 77 members to explore our similarities in diversities. Now is the time for us to support one another in attaining the SDGs. Let us walk together on the development path that will leave no one behind. Finally, I wish you success in your deliberation. I hereby declare the meeting officially open. Thank you. 40 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 41

23 Summary of the meeting G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: An Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals Overview February 2016, Bangkok 1. The Royal Thai Government, as Chair of the G-77 New York Chapter in 2016, hosted the G-77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: An Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals from February 2016 in Bangkok, to share Thailand s approach to development guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty the King of Thailand and provided G-77 member countries a forum to exchange unique national experiences on sustainable development which will be useful in their preparation for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2. The meeting was attended by 192 participants including representatives of 55 G -77 member countries from the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York, capitals and diplomatic representatives in Bangkok as well as representatives from the Thai national agencies and members of the academic community, private sector and international organizations in Bangkok. 3. Over the course of the two-day meeting, participants learned, discussed, deepened their understanding of SEP in Thailand s development context and explored its applications in different sectors and countries, inter alia, agriculture, business, community development, education, governance, macroeconomic policy and public health. The meeting noted that the core principle of SEP is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, among other development models, could serve as a means and tool to support the implementation and the realization of the 2030 Agenda. 4. On 28 February 2016, many of the participants had the opportunity to join a field trip to Chachoengsao Province. At Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center they learnt about soil improvement, water resources development, crop cultivation and animal husbandry derived from SEP approach. During her presentation, Dr. Priyanut Dharmapiya, Director of Sufficiency School Center, Foundation of Virtuous Youth, and Board Member of Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation (TSDF), discussed the key elements of SEP, i.e. reasonableness, moderation, prudence, virtues and knowledge, and how they should serve as basis of decision-making process to ensure balanced development, all of which explained the universality of SEP to all sectors and at all levels. In subsequent discussions, the participants recognized the importance of altering the right mindset to achieve sustainable development. 5. In the afternoon, the group visited Baan Song Sub-district Municipality, which has been awarded the 2015 Outstanding SEP Village of Chachoengsao Province. The visit demonstrated a case study in which SEP has been applied as a guiding principle for community development and successfully uplifted the well-being of the villagers. It was also noted that the villagers practice SEP in their daily life. The participants learnt about the village s climate change-related activities and discussed key success factors for the application of SEP such as sharing, leadership and unity. 6. On 29 February 2016 in his welcoming remarks, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand reaffirmed Thailand s commitment as the Chair of the Group of 77 to turn the ambitious vision of the 2030 Agenda into action. He also provided a brief overview of the objective of the meeting and the concept of the development approach based on SEP, which Thai people considered as guiding light for development at all levels. The Foreign Minister believed that SEP is a proactive work that can be used to achieve the SDGs. 7. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand opened the meeting by emphasizing that the world was facing several urgent social, economic and environmental challenges, many of which were shared by Thailand particularly inequality and environmental degradation. He further pointed out that countries needed to shift towards a sustainable development mindset, and all countries must work together towards the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. He also noted that SEP as a sustainable development model can support and complement the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. For Thailand, SEP was long ago integrated in national development policy which helped the country emerge from several global crises and natural disasters. Above all, he emphasized that in working towards sustainable development, one should start from building strength from within starting from individual level in order to be resilient for external shocks at all levels, and the SEP can be applied in all sectors and levels of development. 8. Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Chairman of TSDF delivered the keynote speech by highlighting TSDF s works in the field of sustainable development which focused on building strength from community level and dispersing SEP knowledge to other sectors of society. He further shared Thailand s experience of the fast economic growth from 1957 and the resulting cost to the environment with impacts on the agricultural sector, citing example of Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre, which was transformed from unproductive to fertile land. He further noted that, as the consequence of 1997 economic crisis, SEP as conceptualized by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, gained much national acceptance and shifted Thailand s national development interest towards a more sustainable path, seeking the balance between economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions. He also highlighted how SEP informed policy making, inspired educational reforms in school curricula and underlined the country s 5-year economic development plan. Session 1: Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: An Approach to Sustainable Development 9. The first session Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: An Approach to Sustainable Development was moderated by Mr. Steven J. Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific. The session reflected the key ideas for sustainable development based on SEP approach, its application in various sectors such as industry, food security and community development and its linkages to sustainable development and SDGs. 10. Professor Gayle C. Avery, Professor in Management at Macquarie University Graduate School of Management, Australia explained the concept of SEP through step-by-step modeling acting on the principles of moderation, reasonableness, and prudence to achieve measureable outputs and the outcomes of well-being, self-immunity, and resilience, noting that the principle of SEP can be applied to many sectors from prisoner correction, public health, community development, agriculture, to businesses. The SEP concept was found to coincide with leadership practices and business models of companies in northern Europe, and can also be applied as a social development model. She pointed that SEP, as implemented in Thailand, clearly contributed to SDG 15 and had the potential to help realize SDG 9, and in particular the raising of productivity (SDG 9.2) based on inclusive and sustainable industrialization that increases the country s employment and GDP. Professor Avery concluded that the principles of SEP can be applied to several SDGs through a combination of virtue and knowledge that created a sufficiency mindset leading to wise decisions. 11. Professor Aree Wiboonpongse, Dean Faculty of Economics, Prince of Songkla University shared her empirical findings from research during on community development programs. Figures and statistics from the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) indicated that the average well-being scores have improved, from 60.34% during , to 67.32% during following the introduction of SEP into the community development master plans. The Sufficiency Economy Matrix (SEM) was used as a framework for economic planning, and augmented to Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) to estimate the effects of SEP on community well-being. By looking at a set of SEM indicators such as gross income, off-farm income, or income gap reduction, the study found significant improvement in the well-being of rural communities including personal health, good governance, environment and ecology, and family relationship as well as the actual conduct towards sustainability objectives. Therefore, there was a need for greater effort to encourage local communities and governments to translate SEP concept into practice. 12. H.E. Mr. Majid Dehghan Shoar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to FAO, Former Chairman of G77 in Rome and Professor of Agricultural Science (Seed Technology) stressed that UN Agencies such as FAO, WFP, IFAD, UNIDO and WHO should work in close cooperation to support member states to achieve SDGs, among others, to end poverty and eliminate hunger, and ensure access to safe, nutritious food. Given that over 800 million people remained in hunger and 1.3 billion tons of food were wasted or lost every year, members of the UN, G-77 and all UN agencies should work together to prevent food losses and over-production of food, as well as help small-scale farmers who were the world s major food producers. 13. Mr. Shun-ichi Murata, Former Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP, noted that societies around the world have become materialistic and over-dependent on the use of resources, so all are paying the price for not teaching children about sufficiency. Society must 42 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 43

24 help each other and foster community spirit, and build individual capacity to lessen pressure on government services. As GDP growth cannot solve social problems, old ways of thinking needed to be challenged. He also highlighted that effective vertical integration for policy implementation for poverty eradication was essential. In conclusion, Mr. Murata proposed that the combination of SEP, Gross National Happiness and Human Development (UNDP) approach putting people at centre would form new social contract to enable the implementation of SDGs. 14. In the open interactive discussion which followed, participants expressed their appreciation for Thailand as a pioneer in sustainable development that has already implemented SDGs on the ground, and concurred that there should be a shift from market-centered to peoplecentered approach. They agreed that SEP was an important instrument for achieving SDGs, in particular on poverty eradication, and an inspirational philosophy that preceded SDGs. Participants further discussed on various SEP related topics, inter alia, gender perspective in SEP, development of SDGs indicators and its complementarity with SEP implementation, the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR), SEP as a framework for decision making, and the partnership between business, trade union, and government in SEP efforts. Participants further discussed on the applicability of SEP in different settings i.e. dense population areas, the linkages of SEP and SDGs, the responsible agencies for SEP implementation, the notion of happiness in SEP and its complementing cultural aspect to sustainable development as well as exploring the new paradigm shift in developmental model from material inquisition to sufficiency consciousness. households were in debt. He outlined the significant improvement of community livelihood, reduced household expense, increased asset and income through various initiatives. Through consultation with the communities, the project identified snake anti-venom serum bank and water resource development as priorities which reduced the mortality rate as well as the time the villagers spent on collecting water from distant area. He also explained that the project set up low-interest seed bank as well as goat bank to reduce household expenses and generate alternative income for the poorest households respectively. In addition, a social enterprise making higher-value products from local produces was also established to sustainably increase income beyond the project life. He summarized that within 4 years the project has been able to reduce the population under the poverty line from 97.03% to 88.22%. In conclusion, Mr. Awng emphasized that consultation with local community, capacity building and empowerment, participation, sense of ownership and strong community spirit were key factors to the sustainability of the project. 21. In the open discussion which followed, participants discussed among others, the incorporation of SEP into school curriculum, good business practices and gender equality, which were important for the framework of social cohesion and dealing with consumerism by using SEP. One of the participants shared her country s development model, which was similar to SEP. The questions posed also included the involvement of the private sector in SEP schemes and incentives for youth to stay in the agricultural sector. 15. Prof.Thep Himathongkam, MD, FACP, FACE, Founder of Theptarin Hospital held a special lunch talk on the application of SEP in the health care sector. He gave a brief overview of the evolution of modern medicine in Thailand and how medical care became an industry driven by profit and a capital market lacking of ethics. As a result of the 1997 economic crisis, the Theptarin Hospital s management with prudent investment and reasonable expansion led to its intact emergence from the crisis. He further highlighted the application of SEP model for the improvement of prevention on diabetes care at his hospital where it has utilized multidisciplined personnel based on knowledge sharing, patient-centric and altruism. Session 2: From Vision to Action: Success Stories of the Application of SEP 16. Mr. Alex Mavro, Chief of Operations, Sasin Center for Sustainability Management (SCSM), Chulalongkorn University, moderated the session. The session shared experiences on the successful applications of SEP from different countries, namely Thailand, Timor-Leste, the Kingdom of Lesotho and Myanmar as well as showed how SEP helped to uplift the livelihood and well-being of communities. 17. Mrs. Saipirun Noisiri, Deputy Director - General, Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior of Thailand highlighted the successful application and promotion of SEP in 58,597 villages nationwide, from which 7,000 were model villages and 843 villages considered as excellent performancing. She further noted the SEP model villages attached importance to the application of SEP at family level, the increase of income by multi-crop plantation, saving promotion activities, local resources conservation, promotion of harmony and unity, as well as creating support group to discourage youth from drugs and crimes. 18. H.E. Mr. Marcos da Cruz, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Timor-Leste shared his country s experiences on the establishment of model village and technology transfer center based on SEP to increase agricultural production by building capacities for villagers on integrated crop management. He further noted some challenges on applying SEP such as changing the mindset of people from traditional way of work in need of immediate earning, rural to urban migration and youth unemployment as well as positive lessons learnt such as the effectiveness of learning-by-doing approach and group collaboration. 22. Professor Harald Bergsteiner, Honorary Professor, Australian Catholic University and Founder-Director of the Institute for Sustainable Leadership served as rapporteur of the roundtable. He summarized the meeting by capturing the application of SEP at Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Project and Baan Song SEP model village on soil improvement and how community commitment, participation, local wisdom and leadership can lead to sustainable development and become more self-reliant with resilience. He further highlighted the resounding message on how Thailand was applying the SEP as a practical model for attaining the SDGs and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth to benefit individuals, families, communities, organisations and the nation. He noted that the morning session emphasized the theoretical understanding and practical implications of the SEP, noting the empirical evidence on how the SEP was working to improve the well-being of the Thai people. He recognized there was a need for closer cooperation among UN agencies and a strengthened South-South cooperation through cultivating a virtuous and informed mindset to achieve a new social contract. 23. Furthermore, he noted that the lunch talk by a medical practitioner showcased the improvement of prevention and treatment of diabetes through integrative, culturally appropriate, patient-centric, knowledge-sharing and altruistic approach based on SEP. He further highlighted that the afternoon session provided further empirical evidence of the many economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to be derived at all levels of society through the application of the SEP, be it in agriculture, commerce, health, education and many other forms of human activity. Overall, he stressed that global challenges can be addressed by SEP and sustainable development should start from the community, while the government should take the lead to scale up the development process from the community. He also noted that more scientific evidence can support the efficacy and applicability of SEP. 24. At the conclusion of the meeting, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations and Chair of the Group of 77, New York shared the view that SEP can be applied in different contexts. He noted that culture emerged as the fourth dimension of sustainable development and emphasized that there was a need for G-77 to work together to end poverty and hunger including through strengthened South-South Cooperation as well as through cooperation with Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). 19. Mr. Ntitia Tuoane, Project Coordinator and acting Director of the Department of Field Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of the Kingdom of Lesotho shared his country s experiences on the application of the New Agriculture Theory for sustainable development based on SEP among lowland farmers of Lesotho, which was initiated following the visit of the King and the Queen of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Kingdom of Thailand. He emphasized the concrete results of 10 years of implementing SEP. The project has helped increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihood, enhance household food security and provide accessibility to water as well as share knowledge and skills for farmers. 20. U Hkam Awng, Director of Myanmar Programme, Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage highlighted the successful application of SEP in Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development project in Magway region, which face severe drought and 90% of 44 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 45

25 G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation, 1-2 March 2016, Bangkok The G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand during 1-2 March 2016 in Bangkok to forge cooperation among developing countries on promoting ICT for sustainable development. Key issues that were discussed evolved around promotion of: (i) equal access to adequate, reliable, affordable and secure ICT infrastructure and devices; (ii) a knowledge 46 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 based economy, including the social and cultural perspectives and where e-learning is an example of ICT s contribution to building inclusive knowledge societies, and (iii) ICT as tool for economic development through e-business. A field trip to the Thailand Science Park, Patum Thani province was organised to showcase Thailand s past experience using ICT as tool for economic and social development, such as e-learning and smart farming projects. From Vision to Action 47

26 G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation, 1-2 March 2016, Bangkok Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand delivers opening remarks Participants at the G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation pose for a group photo. Keynote address on Sufficiency Economy Landscape: ICT for Sustainable Development by Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Senior Advisor to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) The visit at Thailand Science Park for a briefing and demonstration on practical examples of ICT for Economic and Social Development. 48 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 49

27 The G77 Meeting of Experts on ICT and Sustainable Development for South-South Cooperation 1-2 March 2016, Anantara Siam Hotel, Bangkok CHAIR S SUMMARY 1. Welcome Remarks by Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vitavas welcomed the participants and noted that Thailand, as Chair of G77, took up the initiative to organize this meeting due to its perception of ICT s critical role in building a smart nation and its commitment to the goals set out in the World Summit on Information Society last year, where countries agreed on the vision of a more inclusive and people-centered global information society, where ICTs are used to advance towards Sustainable Development Goals. He further noted that while ICTs hold enormous potential for development, challenges of the digital divide are still prevalent and developing countries should step up cooperation to close these gaps as they often face similar or common problems. Mr. Vitavas concluded his remarks by expressing hope that the meeting would reveal new trends and trigger actions towards more collaboration on ICT to achieve SDG targets. He then thanked representatives from G77 countries, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) for co-organizing the event, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), and the panelists and experts for sharing their knowledge and experience. 2. Keynote Address Sufficiency Economy Landscape: ICT for Sustainable Development by Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Secretary General of the IT Foundation under the Royal Initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Specialist and Senior Advisor to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Dr. Pairash outlined the definition and practical application of sufficiency economic philosophy in Thailand, and how it contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly how science, technology and innovation have been utilized to ensure that people have access to the so-called four necessities of life. For examples, the Foundation for the promotion of supplementary occupations and related techniques under the royal patronage of Her Majesty the Queen (abbreviated as SUPPORT), launched in 1976, promoted the production of traditional arts and crafts and their commercial sale through channels such as Phufa and Chitralada shops and One Tambon (District) One Product (OTOP) scheme to increase incomes for rural communities. There was also the The Princess Mother s Medical Volunteer Foundation that provided medical care for people living in remote areas, through the logistical of the Thai Armed Forces and the medical personnel of the Ministry of Public Health. On ICT implementation, the ICT Foundation and Fund under the royal patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been used to help four disadvantaged groups; namely, 1) rural school children, 2) sick children in hospitals, 3) prison inmates, and 4) persons with disabilities. The role of ICT in this case comes in the form of rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology with a view to providing them with education and rehabilitation to enable independent daily living and increase employment opportunities. Dr. Pairash gave examples of how the Thai picture-based language system was developed for persons with communication or learning disorder and special-needs children. In prisons, ICT training has been conducted since 1997 to provide inmates with ICT skills so they could find jobs after having served out their terms. In hospitals, ICTs were used for recreational and educational purposes for long-stay patients, especially children who miss their formal education. ICT media were also utilized for autistic children to enhance their social skills. In the rural areas, about 85 schools in 50 provinces, including Islamic schools and schools in mountainous and remote border areas, were equipped with access to basic computer and internet connection, while their teachers received training on constructive internet media usage. Airnet or point-to-point internet and solar panel telemetry were installed as the schools energy and communication system. A Satellite Distance Learning Foundation was established in 1996 to broadcast lessons of the Ministry of Education in the form of electronic distance learning television (edtv), offering an on-demand option for learners unable to follow the live broadcast. It successfully converted the secondary school contents and vocational education contents of around 1,395 topics covering 70 professions, with the highest page view per month at around 1,300,000. In agriculture, Agricultural Data Integration and Zoning Modelling (ADIZOM) or smart farming (What2Grow) model was used to offer farmers incentives for planting crops best-suited to their lands to boost productivity. 3. Session 1: Local Language a game-changer for equality of ICT access to achieve SDGs Access through enabling local language use by Mr. Jia-Rong Low, Vice President, Global Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director, ICAAN Asia Pacific Hub, Singapore Mr Low, Vice President of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), first gave the overall picture by pointing to a report by Boston Consulting Group titled Greasing the Wheels of the Internet Economy in which the internet economy was estimated to be worth at 4.2 trillion dollars in 2016 among G20 countries alone, and was growing at the rate of 15-25% elsewhere. However, despite its growth, there were factors that prevent people from realizing the internet s full benefits. Apart from the issues of infrastructure and access to devices, other key barriers or friction included factors relating to the industry, information, and the individual. Language access cuts across these three areas, and needed to be addressed at various levels. At ICANN, work was ongoing at the logical layer on the Internationalised Domain Name Program to form the Label General Rules (LGRs) to allow for the use of different scripts at top-level domains. This required multi-stakeholder collaboration among policy, technical and linguistic experts, as well as country leadership and cross-community collaboration. There were, however, some root zone LGR within-script challenges, as some scripts are used by many languages. There was hence the need for significant collaboration across linguistic communities using the same script to foster an environment for the acceptance and usage of IDNs and a holistic approach to address these barriers to access. Linguistic and cultural diversity on the internet: considerations for policy and policymakers by Mr. Tracy Hackshaw, Deputy National Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Science and Technology, Trinidad and Tobago In his presentation, Mr. Hackshaw argued that linguistic and cultural diversity was one of the main pillars of knowledge society, according to UNESCO. Current data, however, shows that while significant work has been done over the last ten years to increase both the language and cultural diversity on the internet, approximately only ten languages dominate the internet today, with a substantial majority of users being from either one of the two core language groupings (English and Chinese), with Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, and Russian users following in descending order. This resulted in hundreds of other linguistic and cultural groupings being left behind in terms of their ability to access, appreciate, and understand contents on the internet. Even more critically, current available data on actual websites using the various language groupings demonstrated that contents on the internet still comprised over 50% the English language, with the next highest percentages being Russian and German. The vast linguistic and cultural divide on the internet was exacerbating the digital divide. Therefore, governments, civil society, businesses and the academic and technical community needed to work together to develop and encourage contents creator (and speakers) of non-dominant languages to be able to express themselves in culturally meaningful ways. The lingering technical issues of getting non-latin scripts onto the internet had been significantly addressed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) through the development of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). Stakeholders should therefore accelerate local content development through a national broadband strategy and accompanying regulatory framework, e-government programs that served as good practices for local content and service creation, domestic data hosting facilities to lower prices, and government-promoted media literacy programs. Key policy considerations included removing barriers to access by disadvantaged groups through the promotion of open, inclusive, participatory and equitable internet, supporting capacity-building and awareness, developing global standards for terminology and technical standards for universal content sharing, and supporting multilingual content development. At the end of Session 1, Mr. Wanawit Ahkuputra, the moderator, pointed to the need to preserve language and culture in the course of technological advancement. One participant noted that multilingualism was mentioned in the outcome document of the WSIS review process, where universal access to the internet was agreed upon. Other participants raised the issue of using local script in the and how this had the potential to expand global trade, the issue of governance and control of the internet and its possible negative effects on children, the issue of addressing the digital divide given that the private sector often has its own interests when allocating resources, and the need to tackle illiteracy itself before access could be broadened. Panelists responded to these issues by pointing to the roles of parental guidance, cyber-security policy, and the fact that the internet is not directly controlled by any party, but that its impacts could be managed through certain regulations and frameworks. Countries need to build their own capacities to make full use of the internet, which should have a certain standard in order to work effectively. As the private sector is often profit-driven, governments should focus on fostering environment conducive to reducing the digital divide, like through national action plan that gives incentives to the stakeholders to collaborate and eliminate barriers. 4. Session 2: E-Learning ICT as a catalyst for social development Thailand s edltv and MOOC systems by Dr. Chai Wutiwiwatchai, Intelligence Informatics Research Unit Director, National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), Thailand Dr. Chai presented Thailand s distance learning project called e-distance learning TV (Edltv), initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and run by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), which converted course contents 50 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 51

28 provided by the Distance Learning Foundation into web-based learning repository. The edltv website produced the course contents, which are then broadcasted from the Krai Kangwon school in Bangkok to schools in remote areas over satellite channels, accessible on the internet. At present, almost all compulsory contents available for primary, secondary, and vocational schools were included in the website and these contents had been accessed country-wide, with a high number of page views per month. Recently, NSTDA under a support from the Office of Basic Education Commission has developed a newly invented e-learning system called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which helped to develop online courses, apart from the conventional video-based learning contents. It was integrated with an Open Educational Resources (OER) where learning materials were available for course authors to reuse legally, and supported large concurrent users. There were over 10,000 learning subjects under OER, while the MOOC system was going to be launched in April The main challenge was the conversion of contents to digital files, which required collaboration with partner universities. ICT for marginalized area by Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Expert and Senior Adivosor to the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand Dr. Pairash began his presentation by identifying several factors contributing to the digital divide, such as basic ICT infrastructure (electricity, telephone, computer and internet usage), educational level disparity and the physical limits of the population, government policy, investment by internet service providers, and quality of ICT services. He then laid out Thailand s pilot models in ICT; namely, internet technology, voice communication, electric energy, health management, lifetime learning, and community sustainability. Central to his presentation was Thailand s ICT project for lifetime learning among the border or marginalized community, which was the collaboration between the ICT and Education Ministries, border schools, NECTEC, local universities, and mobile operators. Schools in marginalized areas often lacked access to electricity and mobile phone signals, so the ICT infrastructure for these border schools consisted of wireless point-to-point internet, 3G Femtocell cellular base station, and ADSL or fiber internet with hop-length of around 20 km. In terms of system operation and management, the schools teachers and staff had to receive training on service monitoring, operation, and preventive maintenance. With proper engagement with the community, schools were able to use ICT for learning and healthcare to benefit people in these remote areas. At the end of Session 2, participants raised questions about the educational certificates for distance learners and whether e-learning would remain the only method of learning for rural communities, and how to sustain the partnership with the private sector given cost-benefit factor or how to ensure continued technology transfer. Others shared their national experience of using web-portals to relay information on specific areas, such as agriculture, and similar e-learning policies. The panelists responded on the issue of educational qualification certificates that consultation was ongoing with the Higher Educational Commission as to how to formally recognize the educational qualifications of e-learners. Plans were under-way to grant certification to higher-education e-learners first, before extending to basic and secondary or vocational levels. Currently, e-learning served mainly as a learning tool rather than a substitute of formal education in schools. Regarding the service providers investment in signal coverage in remote areas, Thailand had a policy that required the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), a telecom regulator and spectrum allocator, to ensure that some proceeds were invested into the rural areas. 5. Session 3: E-Business ICT as a tool for economic development The moderator, Mr. Parminder Jeet Singh, outlined features of the digital economy: low barrier of entry, transformative power, inherently global and cross-cutting nature, and challenges regarding rule-making. Developing countries in digital economy and e-business by Mr. Mouhamed Diouf, Director of Support and Production Means, GAINDE 2000, Senegal The digital divide, apart from being barrier, also presented opportunities in doing business, especially in e-commerce. Countries in the developing world were transitioning towards ebusiness, which could be divided into different categories: business to business (B2B), business to consumers (B2C), and government to citizens (G2C). However, the main barrier was the lack of information on law and regulation regarding ICT and conducive environment. There was also a need for financial investors, business promoters, and trust in production quality and business transaction. Mr. Diouf then presented case studies on B2C using Nigeria s growth and popularity of e-commerce, Kenya s use of e-government (G2C) in the form of Huduma Centre or one-stop shop for government services, and Senegal s use of national Single Window (SW) trade, Orbus, that has significantly reduced the average collection time of goods and documents, and the role of GAINDE, a public-private partnership, in developing the SW system and process. Implementation of an innovative e-government by Mr. Marcelo de Sousa Silva, Technology Project Manager, Innovation Agent and Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Federal Revenue, Brazil. In his presentation, Mr. de Sousa Silva shared Brazil s experience in the use of ICT to create better business environments by redesigning government services, driven by the Federal Revenue Service, by eliminating paper usage in public administration and interaction with citizens in the form of e-process project and the National Electronic Process. It consisted of 1) the facilitation of business start-ups and their integration with the three levels of government (federal, state, local) in the REDESIM project 1 ; 2) speeding up of international trade with the single foreign trade window (Siscomex Portal); 3) speeding up of international passenger flow with e-dbv system (Electronic Travelers Customs Declaration) and facial recognition; and 4) the system of electronic public bookkeeping system or SPED for tax accounts and fiscal documents, which combines all the accounts of Brazilian companies into a single, shared database with public and private entities. The overall goals were to eliminate paper, reduce service time, allow the sharing of accounting information between different levels of government, and minimize the bureaucratic process. These projects involved significant consolidation of all data into electronic forms, and required the restructuring of public administration and workflow process. Such public sector use of ICT to modernize and simplify government services for the public and for the private sector is a clear demonstration of how ICT plays a role in national development and holds a potential for South-South cooperation. At the end of Session 3, participants shared opinions on issues relating to internet transactions (costs, safety, transactional currency) and the need for common framework and facilitation mechanisms. They also exchanged ideas on how to develop incentives for the private sector and how to build and manage local capacity required for the transition. It was noted that, due to the rapid development in this area, there was not much body of knowledge and international norms-setting may be needed. In Africa, due to local constraints, mobile payment and transactions have become the more popular choice compared to internet-based commerce. A proposal was also made to invite countries to present their model of implementation for South-South cooperation on this issue to the PGA. 6. Concluding Remarks by Ambassador Virachai Plasai, Thailand s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Virachai thanked the panelists, participants, organizers, and the previous G77 Chair (South Africa) for taking part in this gathering. He noted that ICT was one of the themes chosen from the angle of sustainable development, while the next forum would be on investment. This Meeting of Experts was successful in generating knowledge and understanding on ICT for promoting sustainable development to members of the G77. He also agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Parminder Jeet Singh that G77 should have its own channel for exchanging of information, knowledge and experiences on ICT related issues. In Thailand, government initiatives focused on using ICTs to assist disadvantaged groups within society; namely the poor and the rural population, the sick and the disabled, prison inmates, and children with learning disorders. ICT application here came in many forms: communication enablers for the remote areas, like low-cost internet using minimal energy and materials for distance learning; assistive technology to facilitate independent living for the sick and the disabled; and recreational and educational technology for inmates and children with learning problems. ICTs were also applied in agriculture to help farmers, and in disaster prevention. He then summed up the discussion in each Session, and noted that ICT could be a vehicle to achieving SDGs. Thailand was glad to make the first step in making the connection. This meeting provided knowledge base, and G77 countries could work to compile more ideas and share best practices, and explore ways to develop specific programs for using ICTs to achieve sustainable development. 1 REDESIM Project stands for the National Network for the Simplification of Registration and Legalisation of Companies and Business. 52 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 53

29 High-Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South on South-South Cooperation, 9-10 March 2016, Bangkok During 9-10 March 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand hosted the High-Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South on South-South Cooperation in Bangkok. Around 40 eminent personalities, including current and former heads of international organisations (e.g. UNCTAD and UNESCAP), former ministers, ambassadors and permanent representatives from New York and Chairs of all the G77 Chapters, gathered to explore ways in shaping South-South Cooperation strategies, strengthening the architecture of multilateral South-South Cooperation, as well as promoting means for financing and operationalising 54 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 South-South Cooperation, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. H. E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand presided over the opening ceremony. During the second day of the meeting, the participants joined a study visit to the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center in Chachoengsao province to experience first-hand application of Thailand s sustainable development approach as guided by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). From Vision to Action 55

30 High-Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South on South-South Cooperation, 9-10 March 2016, Bangkok Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand pose for a group photo with eminent personalities. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of the UN-ESCAP addresses the meeting along with the current and former UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi and Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi (respectively to her right). A visit at the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center, Chachoengsao province - the participants learned about His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej s New Theory agriculture, Exhibition at the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center, involving integrated sustainable land and water management. Chachoengsao province to showcase craftsmanship and The New Theory is one of the most concrete applications of the H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand delivers opening statement. food processing development which aims at creating Sufficiency Economy Principle to the agricultural sector. value-added to agricultural products. 56 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 57

31 G-77 High- Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South The Future Architecture of South-South Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities Bangkok, Thailand, 9-10 March 2016 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1. South-South cooperation has registered an unprecedented growth and impact in developing countries during the past decade. Considering the increasing prominence of South-South cooperation in international relations and the remarkable development that have taken place over the past decade, it is undeniable that the future landscape of South-South cooperation is bright. 2. The reality proves that South-South cooperation is fundamental to overcoming the present difficulties and promoting the development as well as establishing fair and equitable international economic relations. This encouraging progress has led to the renaissance of the South and a dynamic South-South and Triangular cooperation. 3. In the absence of enlightened re-thinking and restructuring, the existing international development architecture will fall short of helping to realize the full potential of South-South cooperation. As we all know, South-South cooperation at the global level requires adequate and structured financial and institutional support. 4. The primary challenge for the expansion of South-South cooperation is the persistent lack of adequate resources. There is a great need for increased bilateral and multilateral funding to assist developing countries in this regard. Development partners must, therefore, live up to the commitments made at international conferences and summits. 5. Another great handicap for the progress of South-South cooperation is the lack of adequate infrastructure and technology to achieve important development projects. There is such an inequality in the level of infrastructure development within the South which constitutes an obstacle in undertaking great improvement projects for many countries in particular the least developed countries. There is an urgent need to invest in health, education, ICT and infrastructure in order to reduce the inequalities among and within developing countries and create avenues for important development projects. 6. In addition, technology transfer to support economic and social development and the transfer of environmentally sound and clean technologies are keys to advance the development efforts of the South. Developing countries should be enabled to develop their own technology with the support of the international community, including building local capacity to design and develop technologies. 7. For cooperation among developing countries to prosper and expand, there is a need for effective and well-equipped institutional mechanisms as well as strategic capacity building which can propel efforts at the national, regional, sub-regional and inter-regional levels. 8. In this context, the Group of 77 remains the main institutional mechanism within the United Nations which promotes South-South cooperation. Since its creation, the Group has focused its work on enhancing the awareness of the importance of South-South cooperation in the new context of globalization and interdependence and in completing North-South cooperation for development and growth in developing countries. The South Summits constituted significant landmarks in this process. They have reiterated the importance of promoting and expanding South-South cooperation within the UN system and elsewhere. The Charter of Algiers is the first major document of the Group of 77 along with the South Summits Plans of Action represented the road maps for countries of the South to take full advantage of South-South cooperation. 9. While recognizing and acknowledging the contributions of the UN System and some of our developed partners in this endeavour, we believe that more can be achieved through South-South cooperation. The Group attaches continuing priority to the closer integration of South-South cooperation and the strengthening of regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. We seek also a closer involvement of the business and private sector actors in the advancement of South-South cooperation. As the Group of 77, we need to develop further our own South-South Architecture to support South-South cooperation. Existing mechanisms and institutions should be strengthened and resources should be pooled together at various levels. 10. The Group of 77 needs to focus its attention on concrete initiatives and measures, which should be action-oriented and encompass implementable actions in the field of South-South cooperation. The aim is to strengthen further the role of the Group of 77 in building our own South-South cooperation architecture as well as a more development-friendly international architecture that supports South-South cooperation as a strategy or mechanism to sustain the development efforts of developing countries and also as a means of enhancing the participation of developing countries in the global economy. To this end, the Panel recommended the following: SHAPING THE SOUTH SOUTH STRATEGY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 11. A shifting of international development cooperation resources to domestic climate change mitigation has taken place, and migration has been used as an excuse for cutbacks in international cooperation. For the first time in 70 years during a decade trade growth has been lower than GDP growth. 12. In this context, policy space is relevant again and asserts development in its own right. Emergence of the Global South evidences that there might be different paths and approaches to development. Many members of the G77 have the potential and experience to assist other developing countries. Therefore, a mechanism to strengthen developing countries potential to assist other developing countries should be developed by focusing on experience sharing and the improvement of mechanisms for development cooperation. In this regard, an offer by Thailand to share its development experience based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) is welcomed and should be explored as an approach for sustainable development that focuses on transforming the economics of exploitation into the economics of moderation, resilience and self-immunity with a view to harmonizing the economic, social and environmental aspects of development. 13. There has been an inadequate response of the South to many present challenges and South-South cooperation (SSC) is not well positioned to serve the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requiring more thought to be given to the architecture of SSC. 14. SSC can be a powerful driver to innovation, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and scalability, but it requires (a) better alignment, enhancement and suitable structuring of partnerships in an open and transparent manner to correspond to the priorities of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; (b) definition of strategies of SSC across agencies, sectors and countries, as well as nurturing the role of the private sector to promote and harness SSC through their exercise and resources; (c) deployment of SSC to strengthen knowledge-sharing in science, technology and innovation; (d) focusing on sharing development experiences, knowledge exchanges and capacity building; (e) pursuing demand-driven approaches, as well as stronger nationally-led ownership and leadership; (f) mainstreaming SSC in national development cooperation frameworks; and (g) evolving more robust institutional coordination and systematic measurement and reporting mechanisms. 15. Upscaling SSC calls for (a) a shift from being mainly bilateral to a more cohesive strategic approach; (b) launching stronger partner-country engagements; (c) shared ownership and focus on results; (d) better alignment of SSC with national systems and development processes; (e) promoting the SDGs; and (f) improving the quality of information to enable transparence, accountability and better results of SSC. 16. SSC should support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by enhancing the capacities and capabilities of proactive developing states, including policy and fiscal space, by ensuring the developmental sequencing of international economic integration as well as developmental and prudential regulation for economic, especially financial, contingencies. In particular, urgent efforts are needed to inclusively institutionalize and enhance international cooperation on taxation to strengthen domestic resource mobilization, especially revenue for strategic fiscal priorities. 58 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 59

32 17. SSC for building of technical capacities and capabilities should enhance South-South solidarity for sustainable development, especially for strategic collective action, including cooperation on finance, trade and technology. to measure impact or value-added. It is recommended to also consider institutions and networks outside of the United Nations development system. 18. The threat to multilateralism resulting from the increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures should be addressed. It now affects one third of the world population and has an adverse impact on the most vulnerable segments of the inhabitants of countries overwhelmingly from the South that are targeted essentially by some countries from the North. 19. The United Nations regional commissions, with their distinct intergovernmental mandates, can play an instrumental role in encouraging strategic transformation of SSC to make it more supportive of implementation of the SDGs. THE ROLE OF THE GROUP OF 77 IN STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL ARCHITECTURE OF SSC 20. The Group of 77 (G-77) should expand its scope to cover all subject themes included in the 2030 Development Agenda, i.e. including all multilateral issues concerning social development, human rights, environment, and disarmament. To this end, thematic coordinators should be elected to cover every United Nations fund, programme and specialized agency as well as the United Nations Office for SSC (UNOSSC), 21. Expansion of the G-77 might be considered, initially by association with the G-77 and later possibly through full membership of other non-western states. 22. Definition of the South-South partnership is necessary in order to defeat attempts to make its diversity a cause of fragmentation rather than strength. A reflection process as well as drafting of a proposal should take place to this end. 23. A loss of momentum of some of the leading forces that have been influential in promoting the agenda of the South must be recognized, as a result of the deterioration of the terms of trade of primary product and commodity exports, and the necessity for other countries in a position to do so to relay their efforts. 24. A two-track approach to SSC should be considered, namely (a) cooperation in the field of joint development projects that can be given impetus by the setting up of SSC agencies in each G-77 member country, interacting with the academia and the private sector, via the Southern national chambers of commerce and industry, and by holding periodic meetings at the regional level. In this context, the Group should look into the possibility of merging existing United Nations funds for SSC, to which potential South-South partners could apply for funding of feasibility studies with the sponsorship of the respective SSC agencies meeting at the United Nations multilateral level; and (b) cooperation to articulate and defend policies of the South toward SSC, as well as towards North-South cooperation, covering all the themes mentioned in the 2030 Development Agenda but not limited to them. 28. Convening of the Third South Summit on SSC, to take place in Africa, should be made at the earliest possible date. WAYS AND MEANS FOR FINANCING AND OPERATIONALIZING SSC 29. It is necessary to take stock of the status of SSC at the global and regional level in order to provide a comprehensive and updated picture, which would serve as a basis for future action regarding SSC strategies, institutions, mechanism and operations. In this regard it is recommended to commission the preparation of a Global Report on SSC. 30. Existing data on SSC volumes, value and value-added seems to be only approximate, sometimes inconsistent, and outdated. This evidences the need to adopt common measurement methodologies and reporting criteria and action should be taken in this regard, including utilization of methodologies already developed and tested by regional and interregional organizations. 31. Formerly all answers to development problems were sought in the North, but this proved to be a wrong approach. Nowadays more solutions come from the South and every country has something to contribute or share within a real partnership of the South. In this context, it would be necessary to assess the balance of the forty years elapsed since Buenos Aires Conference on TCDC, so as to be in apposition to provide a political and technical response in this regard. 32. While finance is a major limiting factor to the expansion and strengthening of SSC, it would be necessary to ascertain whether there might other limiting factors, such as institutional capacities or technological infrastructure, in order to devise strategies and actions to overcome them or reduce their impact, so as to ensure that mobilization of additional resources provides a boost to SSC and is not counteracted by those factors. 33. New financial institutions capable of providing financing to SSC have been launched recently, including the New Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Road Silk Infrastructure Fund, and the Climate Change Fund. The launching of these institutions is welcomed but they would not be sufficient to meet the financial requirements of the SDGs. In this regard, it is recommended to consider the establishment of a financial institution for SSC and immediately undertake the necessary consultations and studies to this end. 25. In the short to medium term this will imply devising ways of further strengthening the UNOSSC, coupling with the new unit for SSC set up at UNCTAD, having a global view of SSC at the multilateral level and linking with a re-energized South Center, the membership of which should be expanded to include new developing member countries. With this intermediate objective in mind, the G-77 should review ways of enhancing SSC within the existing SSC architecture. Longer term, the G-77 could consider the possibility of enhancing the independence of the UNOSSC as a programme, remaining for the time being under the United Nations General Assembly in the context of the assessment of the forty years elapsed since the Buenos Aires Conference on TCDC. The issue of the future evolution of this structure may be addressed thereafter. 26. Consider convening a new South Commission to adapt the SSC strategy in all its dimensions, three decades after the release of the first South Commission Report. 27. Platforms and networks to support SSC should be built, including (a) collaboration between central and regional multilateral institutions; (b) networks of national cooperation agencies of the South, suitable for mapping models for SSC; and (c) common SSC platforms 60 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 61

33 The 47 th Annual Meeting of Chairmen/Coordinators of the G77 Chapters, 11 March 2016, Bangkok On 11 March 2016, the Kingdom of Thailand hosted the 47th Annual Meeting of Chairmen/Coordinators of the G77 Chapters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok. The Meeting aimed at strengthening coordination and identifying priority cross-cutting issues among all of the G77 Chapters in New York, Vienna, Geneva, Rome, Paris, Nairobi and the G24 in Washington, DC. Thai ambassadors in those cities also participated in the meeting to exchange their views on coordination and priority issues with the Chairs. 62 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 63

34 The 47 th Annual Meeting of Chairmen/Coordinators of the G77 Chapters, 11 March 2016, Bangkok Chairs/ Coordinators of the G77 Chapters for 2016 along with Thai ambassadors in those cities pose for a group photo. Chairs of the G77 Chapters for From left to right (i) Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the G77; (ii) Mr. Alejandro Gamboa, Director-General of Colombian International Cooperation Agency, on behalf of the Chair of the G24; (iii) Ambassador Virachai Plasai of the Kingdom of Thailand, Chair of the G77, New York Chapter (iv) Dr. Md. Mafizur Rahman, Economic Counsellor and Alternate Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to FAO, IFAD and WFP, Chair of the G77, Rome Chapter; (v) Ambassador Simon Madjumo Maruta of Namibia, Chair-designate of the G77, Vienna Chapter; (vi) Ambassador Bibiana Jones of the Argentine Republic, Chair of the G77, Nairobi Chapter; (vii) Ambassador Mabel Rudo Chitiga, of Zimbabwe, Chair of the G77, Paris Chapter; (viii) Ambassador Wayne McCook of Jamaica, Chair of the Group of 77, Geneva Chapter. Ambassador Virachai Plasai, Chair of the G77 for 2016 (centre) presides over the meeting accompanied by G77 Executive Secretary Mourad Ahmia (left) and Director-General Chutintorn Gongsakdi of International Economic Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (right). Chairs of the G77 Chapters From left to right, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Ambassador of Thailand to France and Permanent Representative of Thailand UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Ambassador of Thailand to Poland and Special Representative of the Chair of G77 for Climate Change, H.E. Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office at Vienna 64 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 65

35 Communiqué of the Forty-seventh Meeting of the Chairs/Coordinators of the Chapters of the Group of 77 Bangkok, Thailand, 11 th March We, the Chairs/Coordinators of the Chapters of the Group of 77, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on 11th March 2016, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Virachai Plasai, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations and Chair of the Group of 77 in New York, declare our full commitment to the Charter of Algiers, the first guiding document of the Group, reflecting the interests and concerns of the developing countries. 2. We reaffirm our support to the United Nations in its efforts to develop its full potential and address urgent and serious economic and social problems faced by developing countries. We therefore reiterate the importance of the United Nations as the central forum for dialogue and negotiation on issues relating to international cooperation for development. We attach great political importance to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations in promoting international cooperation for economic and social development. Indeed, development is a prerequisite for lasting peace. The realization of the right to food, nutrition and development as a basic human right should be given utmost priority. 3. We are confident that the developed countries will fully honour their commitments made at the highest level. We also caution against any approach which seeks to implement the outcomes of the summits selectively. The focus cannot only be on governance aspects and social issues, while excluding the international community s obligations and commitments in areas such as providing greater market access, easing the debt burden, and promoting financial flows, technology transfer and capacity-building for human resources. 4. We stress the importance of a continued G-77/G-7 dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership as an essential mechanism for the discussion of emerging and urgent issues relevant to the strengthening of a global partnership for development to further strengthen the efforts of the international community in addressing development issues of international concern, including the implementation of the agreed commitments and outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits, especially the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development. 5. We reiterate our firm commitment to further strengthening South-South cooperation. This modality of cooperation is increasingly important both as a strategy in support of development and as a means of ensuring the effective participation of developing countries in the emerging global economic order. In this context, we welcome the Conclusions and Recommendations of the High-level Panel for Eminent Personalities of the South held in Bangkok, Thailand on 9 10 March We reaffirm our commitment to identify priority cross cutting issues among all Chapters that may require coordination of positions for common interest, and ensure coordination through all suitable mechanisms, including the G-77 website, videoconferences, newsletters, telecommunications and meetings. 7. We welcome the substantial contribution made by Thailand to the resources of the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund (PGTF) for South- South Cooperation and invite other countries to follow this encouraging initiative. 8. We express our determination and commitment to bring the action of the Group of 77 to a new level of commitment, and to strengthen its institutional effectiveness and substantive capacity with a view to consolidating common positions of our Group on all the strategic issues of interest to the developing countries in all G-77 chapters, in accordance with the relevant decision adopted by the Special Ministerial Meeting of the G-77 in Thailand hosted a lunch reception in honour of participants at the meeting. The Chairs/Coordinators of the Group of 77 Chapters for 2016 are: New York: H.E. Ambassador Virachai Plasai (Kingdom of Thailand) Geneva: H.E. Ambassador Wayne McCook (Jamaica) Nairobi: H.E. Ambassador Ms. Bibiana Jones (Argentina) Paris: H.E. Ambassador Ms. Rudo Mabel Chitiga (Zimbabwe) Rome: H.E. Ambassador Md. Mafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) Vienna: H.E. Ambassador Simon Madjumo Maruta (Namibia) Washington, D.C.: H.E. Mr. Mauricio Cárdenas (Colombia) (G-24) 66 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 67

36 G77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development, 4-5 May 2016, Pattaya City The G77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development provided a unique and constructive forum to exchange views and experiences on suitable ways to promote investment for sustainable development according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions focused on challenges and constraints in mobilising funds for SDGs, policy frameworks to promote sustainable development, alternative approaches to promoting responsible sustainable investment and 68 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 international efforts toward investment regime reform. A special lunch talk on Sufficiency Economy for Sustainable Business was also organised to showcase Thailand s best business practices with good governance to overcome economic challenges while promoting sustainable growth. The meeting was attended by representatives from 14 international organisations (e.g. UN-ESCAP, UNCTAD, OECD, UNIDO, ADB, UNDP and UNEP) and 28 G77 member countries. From Vision to Action 69

37 G77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development, 4-5 May 2016, Pattaya City H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs delivers his opening statement. H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs poses for a group photo with moderators and panelists from international organisations and the G77 member countries. From left to right, Mr. Stefanos Fotiou, Director of Environment and Development Division, UN-ESCAP, H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Mr. James Zhan, Director of Investment and Enterprise, UNCTAD, H.E. Mr. Wayne McCook, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Chair of the Group of 77, Geneva Chapter Keynote address by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, UN-ESCAP Executive Secretary Keynote address by Mr. Karim Dahou Senior Counsellor, Global Relations Secretariat, OECD Lunch keynote address by H.E. Mr. Wayne McCook, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Jamaica to Welcome dinner hosted by Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Director General, Department of International Economic Affairs, the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Chair of the Group of 77, Geneva Chapter 70 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 71

38 G77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development 4-5 May 2016 Pattaya, Thailand REPORT 1. Under Thailand s Chairmanship and in accordance with the relevant mandates of the Group of 77, a Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development was convened in Pattaya, Thailand, to turn vision into action in the pursuit of an inclusive partnership for sustainable development. The meeting was attended by the member countries of the Group of 77. A number of agencies and organizations of the UN system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting as guests. The list of participants is annexed to this report. 2. The meeting, co-organized with UNCTAD, brainstormed on investment as a key issue after the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: the role of investment in sustainable development, and the correspondent need to conduct business through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to enhance the development dimension in the current global investment regime, and the need to give special attention to those countries with less ability to attract foreign investment, so as to ensure that no one is left behind. 3. The meeting was timely with regard to the preparatory process underway for UNCTAD XIV, as well as providing inputs for a possible first United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on investment in over twenty years. It also brought together the right people at the right time, in the right venue for the right cause, given that it was held under Thailand s G77 Chairmanship and enlightened by the King of Thailand s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) with the aim to reach concrete recommendations on ways and means to promote investment for sustainable development. Its outcome will be brought to the attention of UNCTAD XIV, the World Investment Forum 2016 and the UNGA. SESSION 1: Challenges and Constraints in Mobilizing Funds for SDGs, including the Context of South-South Cooperation 4. Private investment is a crucial source of financing for development and key to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Promoting private sector investment is a cross-cutting issue for attaining the SDGs, including but not limited to infrastructure development, food security, climate change, health care and education. Overcoming the financing gap for their achievement in developing countries is not possible without mobilizing and channeling private sector investment into the SDGs. 5. This requires a step towards global change in galvanizing action for private investment in the SDGs and dealing with the policy dilemmas arising from increased private sector participation in sensitive public services, such as the dichotomy between investment needs and investment funds available, between private sector profit needs and public sector needs of affordable and accessible goods and services, the need to push public investment and private investment, and the need for special attention being given to small and vulnerable economies. This calls for an action plan for mobilizing and channeling private investment into SDG sectors at both the national and regional levels, based on UNCTAD s Action Plan tailor-made to national, regional or sub-regional needs. 6. Despite developing countries need for FDI to form an important element of their development policy, the outlook for FDI flows in 2016 is cloudy and points towards a global decline, which reflects the fragility of the global economy. A further problem is the lack of investment in productive capacity building, in particular in developing countries. The challenge of revitalizing investment as an engine of growth and for the SDGs requires concerted international action to deal with the investment policy dichotomy, namely liberalization and regulation, the unmanageable International Investment Agreements (IIAs) universe of 3,000+ treaties, as well as its lack of a multilateral focal point and the rising risk of protectionism. 7. At the same time, there is increasing recognition of the central role of tax systems in development and progress is underway in global tax cooperation to tackle the issue of tax avoidance. 8. However, global tax cooperation still needs to deliver and green finance is yet to fully take off. In this regard, the meeting also considered the continued high share of FDI attraction routed through Special Purpose Entities and Offshore Financial Centers, as reported in UNCTAD s latest Global Investment Trends Monitor. It also noted financial market reform, while putting a price tag on environmental externalities is still in its infancy. 9. Furthermore, the prospect of scaling up of ODA remains uncertain and double counting continues to be an issue in terms of meeting ODA commitments. Coupled with the lack of capacity to mobilize domestic private funds and the lack of progress in terms of FDI attraction in the poorest countries, especially post conflict countries, this points to the need for further accelerating this work, including through increased South-South and Trilateral Cooperation. 10. Following the inaugural ECOSOC Forum for Financing for Development Follow-up in New York, there are remaining mandates need to be fulfilled in following up to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, including those related to investment issues. 11. A General Assembly resolution recognizing the important contribution of investment to sustainable development and its financing, as well as basic principles in this regard could signal the international communities commitment to find mutually beneficial solutions and induce the required assistance to developing countries in reducing these financing gaps. It may also highlight the supporting roles of respective UN agencies, including UNCTAD, with respect to investment promotion in developing countries. SESSION 2: Policy Framework to Promote Investment in Sustainable Development 12. Meeting the national, regional, international and SDG-related investment policy challenges requires concerted action based on an investment policy framework that provides overall policy guiding principles, covering the core issues of sustainable development, policy coherence, national ownership, public governance, dynamic policy making, balancing rights and obligations, right to regulate, openness to investment, investment protection and treatment, investment promotion and facilitation, corporate governance and responsibility, and international cooperation; national investment policy guidelines focusing on strategic-level issues of policy coherence, core investment policy issues, investment-related policy areas and investment policy effectiveness; options for the design and use of IIAs including post and pre-establishment issues and special and differential treatment for developing countries, covering bilateral, regional and international levels; as well as action-oriented policy tools for mobilizing and channeling private investment in the SDGs, for countries to choose from to adapt and adopt. UNCTAD s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development and its Investment Facilitation Action Menu could be used as a strong option for this purpose. 13. Investment frameworks should also factor in issues related to science, technology and innovation, and the role of FDI in bringing about local innovation and technology transfer. This goes beyond related policy coherence issues and also encompasses capacity building work towards improving the absorptive capacity of the receiving economy (such as business linkages or sustainable supplier development programs). 14. Furthermore, they need to take into account that investment strategies need to be aligned with demographic profile changes, capitalizing on demographics, including those arising from migration, for sustainable development. 15. Such frameworks should also feature prominently public-private sector partnership (PPP) issues, focusing on increasing the benefits and addressing the challenges arising out of these arrangements. This includes meeting the advocacy and capacity challenges in developing countries, and building in the support from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in finding innovative PPP solutions that combine ODA and FDI. Dispute resolution mechanisms in PPPs and in IIAs can be complimentary but also result in conflicting findings. There is thus a need to find solutions that do not undo the stability and predictability established through the one system by the other. 16. Investment frameworks should be based on a national stakeholder approach for setting a national investment strategy, incorporating smart development approaches, policy effectiveness and vision. In some cases, this needs to include working towards the diversification of investment, including through leveraging FDI, with linkages with domestic firms, developing sectoral expertise in Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), pursuing a pool of bankable projects, and the smart use of investment incentives towards attaining the SDGs. 17. Regional integration is another important element of investment policy to enhance the attractiveness of the vulnerable countries such as Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) through creating connectivity. The Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity is a successful example in this regard. 72 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 73

39 18. The Declaration For a new world order for living well adopted by the Summit of Heads of State and Government of G77 in 2014 already contains elements such as policy space, respect of human rights, and sustainable, inclusive and equitable growth. These elements could be built upon by adding the additional elements related to investment into the future G77 Ministerial Declarations preceding both UNCTAD XIV and the UNGA. In addition, there is potential for an intensified South-South dimension in investment cooperation, especially to address the accountability of investors. SESSION III: A Holistic Approach to Promoting Responsible and Sustainable Investment 19. In pursuing investment policy reform, States can learn from relevant and impactful experiences in micro-finance, sustainability policies including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 20. The Thai Village Fund and the Bangladesh Grameen Bank provide powerful examples of sustainable pro-poor solutions that are altruistic in nature and not oriented on making profits. Corporate actors, although required to seek profit, can emulate these through following the principles of reasonableness, moderation and prudence that are enshrined in the SEP. 21. International standards and principles for responsible business and investment, especially CSR, offer an important framework for responsible corporate conduct and such voluntary initiatives were supported. CSR standards have greatly improved corporate conduct in recent years. But there are issues related to their further uptake, enforcement, and the attended risks they carry for SMEs. 22. Concerning uptake and enforcement of CSR, there is widespread acceptance within the international private sector. Although voluntary in nature, there is increased evidence of corporate uptake and application in global and regional value chains. The UN s Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSE) led by UNCTAD provides an enabling framework for corporate environmental, social and governance reporting. 23. The meeting took note of examples of company experiencing the risk of infringing standards of responsible business conduct throughout the whole supply chain, in any jurisdiction, as well as lessons learned from its handling of this matter and its overall approach to building sustainability and CSR into its business activities. There is also a risk that CSR standards create an unnecessary burden for SMEs that cannot afford the cost of compliance and are overstretched when confronted with a multitude of standards. 28. Developing countries approaches towards IIA reform point towards the increased importance of South-South Cooperation in pursuit of IIA reform. There is an evolution of developing countries from rule-takers to rule-makers. The new BIT models of Brazil, India and Indonesia provide important guidance in this regard. A large number of developing countries in Africa would like to modernize their investment treaties in line with the 21st century investment-for-development imperative, but lack the capacity to do so. This also holds true for pursuing IIA reform in South-South context. 29. In pursuing IIA reform, it is important to also consider the legacy of existing IIAs and how to deal with the existing stock of these treaties, including in particular their ISDS dimension. Principles for investment policy making can help in this regard. 30. To manifest the South-South dimension in the international pursuit of IIA reform, taking into account the SDGs, a set of G77 principles on investment at the national and international level could be pursued. These could capture all key ideas emanating from the experiences and lessons learned, the various new South models, build on the UNCTAD Investment Policy Framework and could be pursued in cooperation with international organizations such as UNCTAD. SESSION V: Conclusions and Recommendations 31. There is a need for joint action in pursuing private investment in the SDGs. Although this is not the panacea for development finance, it can play an important role in addressing the financing gap for the attainment of the SDGs. Finally, there is a consensus on the need for IIA reform to make these treaties work for sustainable development, as manifested in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. 32. The meeting succeeded in building bridges and breaking barriers. It contributed to the converging of investment-for-development agendas of various stakeholders. There are important take-away suggestions for the G77 that emanated from this meeting, including introducing a UNGA resolution on investment for sustainable development, inserting the investment policy reform agenda into the upcoming G77 Ministerial Declaration preceding both UNCTAD XIV and the UNGA, and pursuing the development of a set of G77 Principles on Investment. 24. Together, these elements point towards an increased need for capacity-building in these fields, both in terms of helping governments with emulating best practices in micro-finance and in terms of helping developing country firms, in particular SMEs, to comply with international CSR standards. International organizations have an important role to play in this regard. SESSION IV: International Efforts toward Investment Regime Reform 25. There is a pressing need for systemic reform of the global regime of IIAs, with a view towards overcoming its fragmented and highly atomized nature, improving its development dimension and addressing the legitimacy issues of its Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system. 26. UNCTAD s roadmap for IIA reform provides policy options that policy makers can pick and choose from to suit IIA reform to their country s particular policy objectives. Its six guidelines for steering the reform process (harnessing IIAs for sustainable development, focusing on critical reform areas, acting at all levels, sequencing properly for concrete solutions, ensuring an inclusive and transparent process, and strengthening the multilateral support structure), five key reform objectives with various detailed approaches to treaty drafting (safeguarding the right to regulate, reforming ISDS, promoting and facilitating investment, ensuring responsible investment, and enhancing the systemic consistency of the IIA regime) and areas of action, and four levels of action (national, bilateral, regional and multilateral), have already helped more than 110 countries in pursuing IIA reform. 27. At the same time, investment trends in recent mega regionals are still challenging for developing countries. For example, the Trans-Pacific Partnership s investment chapter definitions, liberalization commitments, treatment of performance requirements, the fair and equitable treatment standard, expropriation, transfers and the ISDS provisions have significant implications for host countries, in particular developing countries. Therefore, international organizations such as UNCTAD could provide in-depth analysis and capacity-building. 74 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 75

40 SEP in Business: A G77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, 1-2 June 2016, Bangkok On 1 June 2016, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand presided over the opening ceremony of SEP in Business: A G77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. The SEP in Business is the second meeting, building on the first meeting entitled G77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: An Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand during February During his welcoming remarks, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided an overview of the objective of the conference, namely to share with G77 members Thailand s development approach based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), in particular its application in the business sector, as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations as part of the G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015 in New York as a new global development agenda. He also highlighted that the Forum will be a platform for discussion and the sharing of experiences of businesses, large and small, that successfully apply SEP into their operational activities and strategies. On 2 June 2016, the participants visited Suan Sam Pran, Nakhon Pathom province to see how SEP can be used to bring about sustainable development through business and local farmers partnership. More than 230 participants participated including Ambassadors /Permanent Representatives of G77 countries from the Permanent Missions in New York and Embassies in Bangkok, senior-level officials from the concerned Ministries from capitals, as well as representatives from international organizations and representatives of Thai government agencies, the private sector and the academia. From Vision to Action 77

41 SEP in Business: A G77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, 1-2 June 2016, Bangkok Panel discussion: Streamlining SEP into business practice in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Welcoming remarks by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Opening remarks by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Interactive discussion: The SDGs: Perspectives from the United Nations and Priorities of the G77 Member Countries - Lead Discussant (left) H.E. Mr. Macharia Kamau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the UN, moderator (right) Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Deputy Director -General of Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs G77 delegates visited the World Café (Interactive Exhibition) guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vichita Ractham, Deputy Dean of Academic Services, College of Management Mahidol University Keynote address: Application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to Macro-Economic Management and Business Practices by Dr. Prasarn Triratvorakul, Former Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Member of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation Opening remarks by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Presentation on the Sampran Model by the Managing Director of Suan Sam Pran hotel and the leader of the Sam Pran local farmers followed by summary of the conference and exchange of views chaired by Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations G77 delegates learned the Sampran Model 2 June 2016, Sampran Hotel, Nakhon Pathom 78 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 79

42 Overview Summary of the meeting SEP in Business: A G-77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 1-2 June 2016, Bangkok 1. The Royal Thai Government, as Chair of the G-77 New York Chapter in 2016, hosted the SEP in Business: A G-77 Forum on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals from 1-2 June 2016 in Bangkok. The SEP in Business is the second meeting, building on the first meeting entitled G-77 Bangkok Roundtable on Sufficiency Economy: an Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand during February 2016, to share Thailand s approach to development guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty the King of Thailand, in particular its application in private sector. The meeting provided G-77 member countries a forum to exchange unique national experiences on sustainable development which will be useful in their preparation for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2. The meeting was attended by 230 participants including representatives of 38 G-77 member countries, including Ambassadors / Permanent Representatives of G-77 countries from the Permanent Missions in New York and Embassies in Bangkok, senior-level officials from concerned Ministries from capitals, as well as representatives from international organizations and representatives of Thai government agencies, the private sector and the academia. 3. Over the course of the two-day meeting, participants learned, discussed, deepened their understanding of SEP in Thailand s development context and explored its applications in business sector. The meeting noted that the SEP is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can also be applied in business sector to galvanize profit and resilience while contributing benefits to all stakeholders with respect of the environment and, among other development models, could serve as a means to support the implementation and the realization of the 2030 Agenda. development, forward-looking approach to cope with dynamic nature of things and the stresses on human capital development and sustainable mindset. Overall, he reaffirmed the importance of using SEP to address emerging challenges in business operation and help companies to grow in the long-term as well as the need of business to reach out to other stakeholders in society. Session 1: Streamlining SEP into business practice in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8. The first session Streamlining SEP into business practice in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was moderated Mr. Nick Pisalyaput, Director, Sasin Centre for Sustainability Management, Chulalongkorn University. The session reflected the key ideas for sustainable development based on SEP approach, its application in business sector, linkages to SDGs and the views from the global outlook, policy maker and companies on the SEP and sustainable development. 9. Mr. Stephen B. Young, Global Executive Director, Caux Round Table shared his view that SEP can be adapted in different countries and cultural settings to benefit all stakeholders. He further noted that SEP has universal relevance to global application and has been well welcomed at all Caux Round Tables organized in 22 countries around the world last year. He further shared that the vision of SEP, which espouses risk resilience, moderation, reasonableness and prudence based on knowledge and virtue is needed for the leadership in the time of crisis. Overall, he reaffirmed that SDGs can be implemented through SEP and there are case studies that Thai companies which apply SEP can ameliorate growth of the companies in the long run. 10. Mrs. Kesara Manchusree, President, Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) shared her work at SET for promoting SEP to Thai companies in accordance with moderation, reasonableness and prudence concept with due consideration of social, environmental and human rights practices including through reward programme, dialogues and other activities, for examples on good governance, proper risk management and internal control, social development guidelines, consulting services, sustainability trainings, conducting report assessment and dispersing financial knowledge to the public. She also further noted that, as a result, 51 companies received SET Sustainability Award and 13 Thai companies also ranked in DJSI (Dow Jones Sustainability Index). Moreover, SET also promotes financial literacy among students and aging population incorporating SEP concept. She reiterated that SEP could overall apply to corporate sector to foster sustainable development in achieving SDGs. 4. On 1 June 2016 in his welcoming remarks, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand provided a brief overview of the objective of the meeting to share with G-77 members Thailand s development approach based on SEP, in particular the application in business sector, as a means to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that SEP is can be applied to a whole host of different sectors beyond agriculture. He further noted that SEP, as applied in the business sector, encourages the efficient use of resources, investment, risk management as well as sustainable production and consumption. He also highlighted that the Forum will be a platform for discussion and the sharing of experiences of businesses, large and small, that successfully apply SEP into their operational activities and strategies as well as enhancing the private sector s role in the implementation of the SDGs. 5. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand opened the meeting by emphasizing that to achieve SDGs, global partnership is needed in order to leave no one behind, and all relevant stakeholders, in particular, the business sector, need to be engaged. He shared Thailand s development model based on SEP which businesses can utilize as a decision-making framework for sustainable business management. He further reiterated that SEP does not go against capitalism but stresses on responsible capitalism based on inclusive development for the common good. He further emphasized on Thailand s vision Stability, Prosperity and Sustainability and the economic structural reform towards Thailand 4.0 Model in order to graduate from middle-income trap in accordance with Thailand s 20 years national strategy by utilizing the State of the people policy or Pracharat as the main driver. Overall, he reaffirmed that each and every country must find its own development model and there is no one-size-fit-all development approach. 11. Mr. Krisda Piampongsant, Advisor to the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand and Mitr Phol Sugar Group briefed overall history and corporate strategic direction of the Mitr Phol Sugar group which incorporates sustainable practices for all stakeholders based on human dignity, value and fairness. He further shared the company s sustainable business process throughout the value chain of production such as transforming sugar cane and sugar bagasse waste into electricity, ethanol and wood substitution products as well as how to improve productivity and community development by using the New Agricultural Theory in sugar cane farming, irrigation system development and cash crop funding. He further noted the company s work with public sector on career & skill development and employment opportunities for people with disability to develop safe agricultural products, SMEs development and household registration. The company also adopted the Thailand Industrial Standard or TISI 9999 based on SEP in their business operation. 12. Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, President and CEO, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited shared the experience of the company when Thai Bev re-emerged after the 1997 Financial crisis using SEP principles as a guideline adhering to moderation reasonableness and prudence by knowing the core competence of companies they invested or acquired, creating reasonable innovation that suits market places and managing risk based on virtues and knowledge. He further highlighted his company s proactive role in Pracharat policy (Public, Private and People Partnership: PPPP) to improve community based economic development, including products, capacity and competitiveness development through setting up social enterprises. Overall, he stressed the company s 2020 vision which seeks to build strength from within aiming to achieve SDGs. 7. Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Board of Directors, Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation and Former Governor of Bank of 13. Mr. Supachai Chearavanont, Vice Chairman, Charoen Pokphand Group, President and CEO, True Corporation, gave an overview Thailand, delivered the keynote speech by highlighting how Thailand adopted SEP into macro-economic management to recover after the of the group founded in 1921 in agro business sector. He further shared his experiences when a telecommunication sector in CP group went economic crisis in He further noted how Thailand re-oriented its economy through strengthening resilience of domestic real sectors, bankrupt during the 1997 financial crisis and how the company adopted SEP into their corporate value after the crisis based on creating shared financial system development for sustainable growth, building up strong institutions and pursuing growth with macro-stability, equity and value between business and society, living on strong foundation with embedded ethical fabric through the balance of economic, social and sustainability based on SEP. He also highlighted the holistic approach concept of SEP, be they the coverage of all dimensions of sustainable environmental sides. He reaffirmed that the operation of business must be based on sharing and kindness which derives from SEP in response 80 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 81

43 to change and insecurity. He reiterated that SEP matches with SDGs and can equip his company the ability to adapt, change and grow in sustainable path. Overall, He summarized that business must therefore be able to continue to innovate, adapt and evolve through changes with prosperity based on knowledge and moral principle. 14. In the open interactive discussion which followed, participants expressed their appreciation for Thailand as a pioneer in sustainable development that has already implemented SDGs on the ground. They agreed that the forum is a good example of how countries can work through South-South cooperation in achieving SDGs. The participants also noted that SEP is inspirational philosophy that preceded SDGs. Participants further discussed on the concept of sustainability, the application of SEP in political area and the challenges of SEP application and competitiveness in the market. Panelists responded in interactive discussion by highlighting the evolving concept of sustainable development and that SEP creates a healthy business ecosystem and drives competition based on innovation and creativity as well as mitigates risk and foster long-term growth in the future. Session 2: A Visit to World Café (Interactive Exhibition) 15. In the afternoon, the participants had the opportunity to visit the interactive World Café and the exhibition on SEP as a means to achieve SDGs organized by Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation and discussed with businesses who successfully integrated SEP into their business management, be they; Ban Anurak Kradat Sa (Mulberry Paper Conservation House) stressed on sustainable production process, material sourcing, innovative products and waste management with accountability to the customers, Xongdur an organic cereal company emphasized its organic grade of food supplement products while pursuing the betterment of grass roots living via organic farming to achieve healthier society, Nithi Foods Co. Ltd a quality dehydrated spices and spice infused seasoning oil company adhered strictly to quality assurance programs and good governance as well as helped farmers on sustainable farming with appropriate use of technology, Bathroom Design highlighted its innovation and design driven products based on intense research and development while returning benefits to all stakeholders, Plan Toys stressed the utilization of sustainable material to produce toys and zero-waste throughout the production process, Siam Cement Group (SCG) adopted a sufficiency economy leadership for re-structuring the company after the financial crisis and reoriented their strategies to meet with social and environmental goals. At the same event, participants also had the opportunity to discuss with Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) on the future cooperation on SEP projects and exchanging of experiences and expertise between Thailand and the G-77 members through South-South and trilateral cooperation. Session 3: The SDGs: Perspectives from the United Nations and Priorities of the G-77 Member Countries 16. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Deputy Director -General, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, moderated the session. H.E. Mr. Macharia Kamau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations and Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on El Niño and Climate, former Co-Facilitator on the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) for the Post-2015 Development Agenda served as the lead discussant. The session reflected discussion and exchange of experiences with the participants on the development of SDGs and the Agenda 2030 as well as their implementation process, future challenges and lessons learnt from the SEP forum. the value chain of businesses. TICA also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries on the application of SEP and explore ways to foster means of implementation under South-South cooperation to implement SDGs. 19. On 2 June 2016, many of the participants had the opportunity to join a field trip to Nakhon Pathom Province. At Suan Sam Pran they learnt how SEP can be used to bring about sustainable development in tourism and service sector through local farmers partnership. During his presentation, Mr. Arut Navaraj, Managing Director of Suan Sam Pran gave an overview of the Sam Pran Riverside resort and how it transformed from eco-cultural destination into sustainable business model based on fair trade and SEP by fostering partnership with more than 100 of local farmers. Mrs. Prayud Parncharoen, a leader of the Sam Pran local farmers, also shared her direct experiences on how she and other farmers adopted organic farming approach and emerged from the vicious cycle of overly dependent on chemical fertilizers and insecticides, which resulted in negative impact on environment, health and consumers while farmers are being in debt and exploited by middlemen. Mr. Navaraj further shared that the application of Sam Pran model in the past six years based on SEP has helped improving the unbalanced supply chain and livelihood of all stakeholders, in particular local farmers, i.e. connect organic farmers with access to market, coaching for organic farming, facilitate the organic certification by international agencies such as IFOAM, organize roadshow and help farmers with their marketing plan. Overall, he stressed the importance of public-private partnership in collaboration with universities, media and consumers in achieving sustainable business development for all. 20. At the conclusion of the meeting, H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, New York summarized the two-days meeting highlighting points made by the Prime Minister that there is no one-size-fit-all solution for development and SEP can be applied beyond agricultural sector to business and finance. The former Governor of the Bank of Thailand shared his experiences on how the country reoriented its macro-economic management using SEP as well as views reflected from leading economic institutions and companies during the panel discussion and the visit of World Café on how they streamlining the principle of SEP into their respective business practices and strategies towards the attainment of SDGs. Ambassador Kamau noted the importance of mobilizing and reorienting domestic public resources, private sector financing and ODA using a philosophical framework such as SEP as to reinvigorate and reinvent our domestic development strategies as well as the growing importance of South-South cooperation. 21. In the open exchange of views which followed, participants expressed appreciation for the Royal Thai Government in hosting the meeting on SEP of which all participants had better understanding of SEP as a philosophical framework that support the implementation of SDGs and its universality in application to different geo-social settings. Participants recognized the importance of shifting mindset towards sustainable value and balanced approach to development. A representative from private sector (Charoen Pokphand Group) also noted that clear communication on SDGs to private sector along the value chain is a key to change mindset. He also encouraged private sector to align its business operation with SDGs from top-down and bottom-up. 17. Ambassador Kamau welcomed Thailand in its pioneering role of the implementation of SDGs by putting people at the center of the implementation. He further noted Thailand s leadership and vision that could serve as a good example for other countries in using its homegrown philosophical framework for the implementation of SDGs and incorporated it into national strategy as well as its model of financial mobilization for sustainable development from public-private partnership. Overall, he emphasized the need to shift from traditional financing for sustainable development and recognized that private sector is instrumental to re-orient the world economy towards the implementation of SDGs. He reaffirmed that SEP can help cultivating virtuous cycle of health, education and sustainability that evolving around the successful factor for business. Non-financial resources mobilization through experiences and expertise sharing is also an important element of South-South cooperation citing example of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) s works in this area. 18. In the open discussion which followed, participants discussed means of implementation, alternative means of financing for development, the UN reform for SDGs implementation, engagement of stakeholders, evidence-based accountability framework and among others. Points also been raised by a representative of private sector on the issue of SDGs and public communication, in particular throughout 82 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 83

44 The 14 th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), July 2016, Nairobi, Kenya Thailand as the Chair of the G77, New York, attended the UNCTAD XIV Conference during July 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya, which was the first ministerial-level conference convened after the adoption of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in The conference discussed important issues, such as, challenges and opportunities for trade and development in the context of the multilateral framework, promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth through trade, investment, finance and technology, structural reforms to achieve economic resilience toward new trade and development opportunities, as well as implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development related to trade and development. Prior to the opening of the UNCTAD XIV, the G77 also convened the G77 Ministerial Meeting to discuss the Group s interests, policies as well as strategies to work with UNCTAD in the next four years. An exhibition on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) was also organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand at the conference to share the country s best practices on sustainable development and showcase successful applications of the SEP principle in other countries. The UNCTAD Ministerial Conference takes place every four years and Thailand was proud to host UNCTAD X in G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 85

45 The 14 th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), July 2016, Nairobi, Kenya The 14th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), July 2016, Nairobi, Kenya H.E. Mr. Apichart Chinwanno, Permanent Secretary (retired) and Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand delivered Thailand s national statement at the UNCTAD XIV Thailand as the Chair of the G77, New York at the G77 Ministerial Meeting for UNCTAD XIV Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) s exhibition UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the opening of UNCTAD XIV on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) for SDGs Partnership at UNCTAD XIV 86 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 87

46 TD/507 United Nations United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Distr.: General 19 July 2016 Original: English TD/507 Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade (Vienna Programme of Action) and the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, as well as Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa s Development, Underscore the importance of public private partnerships for infrastructure development and ask UNCTAD to take note in its work of the outcome documents of the other United Nations bodies in this regard, We must now focus on moving from decisions to actions Fourteenth session Nairobi July 2016 Ministerial Declaration of the Group of 77 and China to UNCTAD XIV From decisions to actions We, the Ministers of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China, meeting in Nairobi on the occasion of the fourteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIV), Express our appreciation and gratitude to the Government and people of Kenya for hosting the ministerial meeting, and for the warm hospitality and the excellent organization from which we have benefited since our arrival, Reaffirm our support for the outcomes of previous UNCTAD ministerial conferences, in particular, the Doha Mandate of 2012 and the Accra Accord of 2008, Also reaffirm previous declarations of the Group of 77 and China; in particular, the declaration emanating from our ministerial meeting held in Doha on the margins of UNCTAD XIII in 2012, and the Ministerial Declaration of the thirty-ninth Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs held in New York in 2015, as well as the declaration For a new world order for living well adopted by the Summit of Heads of State and Government on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Group of 77 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in 2014, Welcome all decisions made at the international level in 2015 that underscore the crucial role of the United Nations in sustainable development and in enhancing international economic and financial governance, in particular, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement 1 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as the decisions reached at the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Reaffirm the importance of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade (Istanbul Programme of Action), the In this regard: 1. We stress that the ambitious collective outcomes reached in 2015 represent both opportunities and challenges for developing countries, and that the call for the universality of the challenges should be fully cognizant of the respective capabilities and specific circumstances of developing countries, which poses particular challenges to them in dealing with issues such as industrialization and macroeconomic stability, climate change, health and achieving poverty eradication and sustainable development, and that dealing with those challenges requires a global enabling environment that ensures the effective transfer of technology on preferential terms and sustainable, predictable and adequate flows of finance to support the national efforts of developing countries. 2. We reaffirm the need for committed multilateralism with an architecture that is truly fair, inclusive, democratic and supportive of sustainable development; an architecture that focuses on enabling developing countries to achieve prosperity and well-being for their people by fulfilling their development goals. 3. We call for the reform of global economic and financial governance structures with the participation of all, on an equal footing, as being crucial to development and to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and demand that efforts to sideline multilateral processes and institutions must be avoided. 4. We reaffirm that planet Earth and its ecosystems are our home and that Mother Earth is a common expression in a number of countries and regions; and we agree to deepen engagement with our partners and stakeholders in support of sustainable development efforts and to address our development needs. 5. We confirm that the right to development is an inalienable human right and that equality of opportunity for development is a prerogative both of nations and of individuals who make up nations. 6. We recognize that practical and pragmatic steps must be taken to address challenges consistent with the profile, needs and development goals of individual developing countries in a people-centred manner, eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach. 7. We underscore that adhering to principles such as equity, inclusiveness, common but differentiated responsibilities, special and differential treatment, less than full reciprocity and the right to development, are crucial to strengthening the role of developing countries in the global economy. 8. We recognize that the potential of women to engage in, contribute to and benefit from sustainable development as leaders, participants and agents of change has not been fully realized. We support prioritizing measures to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all spheres of our societies. We resolve to unlock the potential of women as drivers of sustainable development through many measures and commit to creating an enabling environment for improving the situation of women and girls 1 The Republic of Nicaragua is not a party to the Paris Agreement. 88 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 89 2

47 TD/507 TD/507 everywhere, particularly in rural areas and local communities among indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities. 9. We stress the need to build strong economic foundations for all our countries, and recognize, in this context, that, since our meeting in Doha, developments at the global level have created new and aggravated existing challenges for the entire international community, in particular, the peoples of the developing world. 10. We reiterate that the global economic, financial and trading system, including the multilateral trading system, remains unbalanced; that global inequality remains with many still in the abyss of poverty; that the high volatility of food and commodity prices is a persistent challenge and that, furthermore, the impact of the global economic and financial crisis has revealed new vulnerabilities, affecting, in particular, developing countries. 11. We also recognize that new opportunities have emerged, and resolve that developing countries should intensify efforts to take advantage of these opportunities, while underscoring the importance of a conducive international environment to complement these efforts. 12. We stress the importance of multilateral efforts to tackle increasingly complex crossborder challenges that have serious effects on development, such as financial market volatility and spillovers to developing countries, illicit capital and financial flows, tax evasion and tax avoidance, sovereign debt crisis prevention and resolution, cyber security, the influx of refugees, foreign terrorist fighters and bribery, as well as the need for technology transfer, absorption and its financing, and commend UNCTAD for its work, as appropriate, regarding addressing these challenges and other systemic issues, and request UNCTAD to strengthen such work. 13. We recall that sovereign debt matters should concern both developed and developing countries. This should be considered as a matter that has the potential to adversely impact the global economy and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals if left unchecked. We recognize the need to assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief, debt restructuring and sound debt management, as appropriate. We reiterate our concern about the activities of so-called vulture funds and their actions of a highly speculative nature, which pose a risk to all future debt-restructuring processes for developing countries. We urge all United Nations Member States to further discuss sovereign debt restructuring and management processes, with active, inclusive participation and engagement by all relevant stakeholders, in order to nurture and strengthen these processes to make them more effective, equitable, durable, independent and development-oriented, and reaffirm the roles of the United Nations and the international financial institutions in accordance with their respective mandates. We also welcome the adoption of General Assembly resolution 69/319 on basic principles on sovereign debt restructuring processes on 10 September 2015 as an important step. 14. We take note of the increasing calls by ordinary citizens across geographic regions and within developed and developing countries, for their Governments to secure adequate policy space within the context of bilateral, regional and international agreements and commitments, in order to ensure their well-being. In this regard, we therefore demand that international rules must allow for policy space and policy flexibility for developing countries, which are crucial to enabling our countries to formulate development strategies, in accordance with their sovereign right, that reflect national interests and differing needs, which are not always taken into account by international economic policymaking in the process of integration with the global economy. 15. We stress the importance of respecting policy space, recognizing national priorities and leadership to formulate, identify and pursue the most appropriate mix of economic and social policies to achieve equitable and sustainable development, understanding that national ownership is key to achieving development. 16. We stress that unilateral coercive measures and legislation are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States and the rules and principles of the World Trade Organization. These measures impede the full achievement and further enhancement of the economic and social development of all countries, particularly developing countries, by imposing unconscionable hardships on the people of the affected countries. 17. We stress that effective taxation, including combating tax evasion and reducing opportunities for tax avoidance by multinational corporations, will be critical in the mobilization of resources for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the overall economic advancement of developing countries, and hence requires collective and inclusive, democratic action with the active participation of developing countries, at the global level, while respecting the policy space of countries. 18. We call for economic structural transformation that strengthens productive capacities, productivity and productive employment; financial inclusion; sustainable agriculture, rural and fisheries development; sustainable industrial development; universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy services; sustainable transport systems; and infrastructure that is resilient and of a high standard. We reaffirm the importance and crucial and effective role of the State in leading and promoting development, even as efforts to strengthen the contribution of all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, are enhanced. 19. We express serious concern over the widening income and other inequalities between the developed and developing countries. We, therefore, reaffirm the Group s objective to nurture a community of the shared future of humankind through a new type of international relations based on win-win cooperation to ensure inclusive development. For this purpose, we call upon the international community to intensify development cooperation, make financial resources available for development, build a more vigorous multilateral partnership and create a better enabling environment for development, as well as prevent the politicization of the international trading system, depriving many developing countries of the opportunity to be integrated into, and benefit from, the multilateral trading system. 20. We reiterate the importance of achieving, in particular, targets for official development assistance of 0.7 per cent of gross national income as official development assistance to developing countries and 0.15 per cent to 0.2 per cent of gross national income as official development assistance to the least developed countries, as well as further enhancing the resources for the least developed countries. 21. We call for active and strong global partnerships and cooperation and for greater focus on building productive capacities to address the main challenges to our achievement of sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development, including poverty, hunger, food insecurity, unemployment, inequality, the lack of access to renewable energy and relevant technologies, the adverse effects of climate change and burgeoning debt levels, as well as the promotion of industrialization, the diversification of economies, the promotion of value addition, the implementation of national and regional hubs of innovation and development and the realization of the modern and successful infrastructure of communications. We request UNCTAD to continue capacity-building activities, including TrainForTrade and in the framework of paragraph 166 of the Bangkok Plan of Action. 22. We recognize that achieving sustainable economic growth requires the talents, creativity and entrepreneurial vigour of the entire population, as well as supportive policies 3 90 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 91 4

48 TD/507 TD/507 towards micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, skills development, capacities to innovate and absorb new technologies and the ability to produce a higher quality and greater range of products, infrastructure and other investments. 23. We call for continued and enhanced North South cooperation, which is the core of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development and remains critical in overcoming global development disparities, and recognize its importance, along with triangular cooperation. 24. We recognize that global challenges and opportunities have reinforced the need for continued and enhanced cooperation and solidarity among developing countries; it is in this spirit that we also call for enhanced South South cooperation, including the sharing of home-grown approaches and best practices in sustainable development and governance; increased dialogue and coordination in major regional and international issues; strengthening of South South business initiatives; and enhanced cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, industrialization and infrastructural development, as an important element of international cooperation for development as a complement, not a substitute, to North South cooperation. 25. We note that the digital economy is an important and growing part of the global economy, and that information and communications technologies have a great potential to create jobs, enhance innovation and enhance market access, in particular for developing countries. 26. We express concern that a digital divide remains between developed and developing countries, and that many developing countries lack affordable access to information and communications technologies, which remains a critical challenge to many developing countries, which needs to be addressed through, among others, international cooperation and technology transfer, including through the effective participation of developing countries in research and development, equal participation in Internet governance forums and stronger commitment from the private sector in the developed countries to support the private sector in developing countries. 27. We stress that the expeditious and effective transfer, dissemination and diffusion of appropriate technology to developing countries, on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, respect for policy space to build technological and absorptive capacities and the promotion of innovation in developing countries remain important. This is most important as we recognize the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid advances in information and communications technology and the need to address the digital divide and other systemic and entrenched inequalities within the sphere of information and communications technology, including the Internet. 28. We call, in this regard, for the enhanced support and cooperation of key partners, such as UNCTAD and the International Trade Centre, the Group of 15 and the South Centre, as well as other multilateral and regional institutions and stakeholders, in advancing our goals and objectives. 29. We express our continued support to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD and look forward to the strengthening of the bond between UNCTAD and the Group of 77 and China. 30. We reaffirm the central role of UNCTAD as the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and interrelated issues, including in the areas of finance, debt, technology transfer, transit and transport issues, regional and global value chains, the international investment regime and sustainable development. 31. We call for the strengthening of the mandate of UNCTAD and its three pillars of research and analysis, consensus-building and technical cooperation, as well as the intergovernmental machinery, recognizing its central role as the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and interrelated issues such as those within the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development. In this context, the outcome of UNCTAD XIV should identify key issues where consensus would be built in the period between UNCTAD XIV and the following session, with a view to specific and measurable intergovernmental action. A benefit would be that intergovernmental decisions and agreements would form a coherent and holistic body of work that would serve as an important input in the preparation for the following session. To this end, adequate and additional budgetary and human resources should be provided to UNCTAD from the United Nations regular budget to enable UNCTAD, as a body of the General Assembly, to effectively and fully carry out its mandate under its three pillars. 32. We recognize the vital role of investment in support of sustainable development and will work intensively with UNCTAD, as well as other multilateral and regional institutions and stakeholders, to reform the international investment regime, improving the development dimension of international investment agreements, ensuring a balance between investor rights and obligations and safeguarding the right of States to regulate in the public interest, including through alternative approaches to dispute settlement, to better serve and reflect the new context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, we take note with appreciation of the Report of the Group of 77 Meeting on Investment for Sustainable Development, held from 4 to 5 May 2016 in Pattaya, Thailand. 33. We express serious concern at the lack of meaningful progress in the WTO Doha Round, particularly on domestic support and market access issues of interest to developing countries and the efforts by some members to undermine the commitments contained in the Doha Development Agenda, while welcoming the commitment of the Tenth Ministerial Conference to maintain development at the centre of future negotiations and its reaffirmation of the principles of special and differential treatment, flexibilities for developing countries and collective commitment to advancing on the Doha Round issues. In this context, we urge all WTO members to uphold and reiterate their commitment to promote an apolitical, universal, fair and balanced, open, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent, equitable, rules-based and predictable multilateral trading system, that has development at its centre, which would enable developing countries and especially the least developed countries, to secure a share in the growth of international trade commensurate with the needs of their economic development and to fully integrate into the multilateral trading system. 34. We underscore the need to improve global economic governance by, among others, strengthening the multilateral trading regime and increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in the international system with equal rights to participate in international rule-making. In this regard, we endeavour to enhance the participation in and role of developing countries in the areas of trade, investment and development in international economic forums, including the Group of We emphasize the need to focus on analysing and monitoring how subsidies and various forms of market access restrictions from developed countries have historically affected and continue to undermine the development of productive capacities in the agricultural sector of developing countries. 36. We underscore the importance of collective international action towards achieving the graduation of half of the least developed countries by 2020, as envisioned in the Istanbul Programme of Action G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 93 6

49 TD/507 TD/ We emphasize the importance of facilitating accession to WTO, especially for developing countries, recognizing the contribution that this would make to the rapid and full integration of these countries into the multilateral trading system. In this regard, we urge that the accession process be accelerated without political impediments and in an expeditious and transparent manner for developing countries that have applied for WTO membership, and reaffirm the importance of the WTO decision of 25 July 2012 on accession by the least developed countries. We also underscore and commend the pivotal role of UNCTAD in this regard, particularly through its technical assistance and capacitybuilding to developing countries before, during and after the process of accession to WTO. We call upon UNCTAD to strengthen this work. We welcome the results from WTO accessions so far. These results have contributed to the strengthening of the rules-based multilateral trading system. 38. We will continue to fight against all threats to economic growth and development, including all forms of protectionist measures and unilateral economic pressures, especially by the leading industrial economies, while preserving our policy space. 39. We, therefore, firmly reject the imposition of laws and regulations with extraterritorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic, financial and trade measures, including unilateral sanctions against developing countries, and urge the international community to take urgent and effective actions to eliminate the use of such measures. 40. We call upon UNCTAD to enhance its work towards addressing the trade and development challenges of all developing countries and, in so doing, to strengthen its work on the special problems of the least developed countries; African countries; landlocked developing countries; small island developing States; structurally weak, vulnerable and small economies and the related problems and challenges faced by middle-income countries, as well as to assist transit developing countries with their specific needs and challenges, particularly in relation to infrastructure development and transport. 41. We further call upon UNCTAD to provide the appropriate support necessary to contribute to the implementation of specific actions requested in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Istanbul Programme of Action, the Vienna Programme of Action and the SAMOA Pathway. UNCTAD should also support the implementation of Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa s Development. In this regard, adequate and additional resources should be provided to UNCTAD. 42. We call for the allocation of additional human and budgetary resources from the United Nations regular budget to enable UNCTAD to implement its mandate, which has a great relevance for all countries and in particular for developing countries, including its work on systemic issues, global macroeconomics and finance, debt, taxation, investment, trade and development and technology transfer. 43. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our ability as a Group to collectively promote our interests, particularly within multilateral trade and development forums, and commit, in this context, to ensuring that the Group continues to be a proactive force in the global effort to solve global issues, building on its solidarity, maximizing its competitive advantage and applying its collective capacity. We welcome steps taken to enhance coordination among Group chapters, and urge that these efforts be deepened. 44. We reiterate our call for support to the Palestinian people to be sustained by relevant research, policy analysis, advisory services and effective technical cooperation activities to alleviate the adverse economic impact of the unbearable conditions imposed by the prolonged Israeli occupation; and urge UNCTAD to strengthen and intensify its programme of assistance to the Palestinian people with adequate resources; and support paragraphs 9 of General Assembly resolutions 69/20 and 70/12, which request UNCTAD to report to the General Assembly on the economic cost of occupation for the Palestinian people and exert all efforts to secure the resources required to fulfil these resolutions. 45. We reaffirm the need for the Government of Argentina and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in accordance with the principles and the objectives of the United Nations Charter and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, in order to find, as soon as possible, a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute relating to the Question of the Malvinas Islands, which seriously damages the economic capacities of Argentina and the need for both parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the Islands are going through the process recommended by the General Assembly. 46. We reaffirm the need to find a peaceful solution to the decolonization and sovereignty issues affecting developing countries, recognizing that failure to resolve these issues will seriously damage and undermine the development and economic capacities and prospects of these countries. In this context, recalling the concerns expressed by the Summit of Heads of State and Government and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 and China in their previous declarations regarding the dispute over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, which was unlawfully excised by the United Kingdom from the territory of Mauritius prior to independence, and the marine protected area that was declared by the United Kingdom around the Chagos Archipelago, we take note of the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal in the case brought by Mauritius against the United Kingdom under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that the marine protected area was unlawfully established under international law. 47. We urge UNCTAD and other partners in the international community to assist developing countries facing specific circumstances, in particular related to terrorism, increasing numbers of displaced populations or hosting large numbers of refugees in protracted situations, in addressing the challenges they face in the implementation of national development goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 95 8

50 G20 Summit 4-5 September 2016, Hangzhou, China H. E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand attended the G20 Hangzhou Summit during 4-5 September 2016 in the capacity of the Chairman of the G77. It was the first time that the G77 had been invited to attend the G20 Summit, reflecting Thailand s significant role as a bridge linking the G20 and the G77 member countries. The Summit, under the theme Towards an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy attached importance to issues, such as: (i) policy coordination to revitalise economic growth, (ii) global economic and financial governance, (iii) robust international trade and investment, (iv) inclusive and interconnected development as well as (v) other issues affecting the world economy such as climate change and terrorism. 96 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 97

51 G20 Summit 4-5 September 2016, Hangzhou, China Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Hangzhou Summit. Leaders from the world s leading industrialised and emerging economies attended the G20 Hangzhou Summit, such as, the European Union, the US, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and Indonesia. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand addressed the gathering at the G20 Hangzhou Summit, reiterating the G77 s interest in building new kind of cooperation that becomes a global partnership that drives the economy of the 21 st century. Prime Minister of Thailand and Chinese President at their bilateral meeting to discuss cooperation between both nations. 98 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 99

52 President Xi, Honorable participants, Intervention by Prime Minister at the G20 Summit Agenda 1: Strengthening Policy Coordination and Breaking a New Path for Growth 5 September 2016, hrs., Hangzhou, China First of all, I wish to thank our host for the welcoming dinner last night which we very much enjoyed and for the spectacular cultural show, which was a truly seamless and innovative blend of Chinese and Western cultures and civilizations. I wish to thank the Government of the People s Republic of China for inviting Thailand, in our capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 and China (G77), to this meeting, which has placed development high on the agenda. This shows China s constructive role as bridge builder between the G20 and the G77 which is also in line with Thailand s and the G77 s priorities. We must also emphasize the use of technology and innovation to help us break a new path for growth. Education, research and development, creating incentives for the private sector to innovate will, therefore, be crucial and will help to close the digital gap. The G20 should work with the G77 in identifying each country s potentials and strengths to create a common value chain, to develop products from local resources and traditional knowledge; to create a regional brand, perhaps a G77 brand, for example, as an alternative for our consumers, which can help to increase incomes in the agricultural sector, which is the economic backbone of many developing countries. Doing this would also help to expand the labor market. For our part, Thailand is promoting industries of the future, such as through our Food Innopolis project, where innovation is fused with food processing to add higher value to agricultural products. Examples here include food for the elderly and health foods. SMEs, as important generators of employment and innovation, should also be promoted. We should boost SME capacities, helping 3 million SMEs to integrate into the global value chain. This means equipping them with the necessary know-how as regards using IT, market access, access to finance and credit, tax incentives, and IP protection. And the 3rd area in which we must take action to stimulate growth is to encourage the participation of all stockholders through the People Public Private Partnership (PPPP) Model to build strength from within and to reduce disparities, which is the approach Thailand is taking to resolve domestic problems in parallel with other development efforts for the country s future. And after our recent successful Referendum on the Constitution, we will hold general election next year, in 2017, in accordance with our referendum. And lastly, I wish to register my support for the G20 s structural reforms agenda, which emphasizes strong, sustainable and balanced growth. And, as G77 Chair, I ask that the G20 to join us and support us by sharing your experiences and available resources in driving this new Vehicle of Growth in a sustainable manner, without leaving anyone behind. Let us indeed resolve to be stronger together. I wish to commend China and the United States for their leadership in ratifying the Paris Agreement, which is indeed good news for all of us and our efforts to address climate change. As we meet, world economic growth continues to be sluggish and we continue to face challenges in diverse areas. We must, therefore, work together more and leave no one behind. We must join forces to create new forms of partnership to build a new vehicle of growth for the 21st century to truly break a new path for growth for the world economy. So we must build global partnership through North-South, South-South and Trilateral cooperation arrangements. Developed and developing countries must give each other support. This is, in fact, the key agenda under Thailand s G77 Chairmanship. continue to do to ensure that our economic policies are wellcoordinated, balanced, mutually reinforcing, promote anti-dumping measures, do not pose obstacles to trade and maintain the policy space that governments need. Second, we must continue to advance structural reforms in our own countries, emphasizing: So to spur growth in the world economy, I believe that we must take action in the following 3 areas: First, we must strengthen policy coordination and enhance concrete cooperation between the G20 and the G77 to create opportunities and choice for all, without marginalizing developing countries, as we are doing this year at this meeting. And we should One, human resource development because our peoples should be in the driver s seat of this new vehicle of growth and are able to take us safely to our destination. So education and skill development to meet the needs of the labor market are key, which is an area Thailand has been working on with some G20 countries, such as Germany and Japan, and would like to do so with many other countries. 100 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 101

53 th The 40 Ministerial Meeting of G77 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. The G77 members exchanged views on global issues and issues of interest during the past year and unanimously endorsed the 40th Ministerial Declaration which reiterates the Group s support to the UN s post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Climate Change agreement. Presiding over the meeting, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, pointed out the G77 s active role in implementing the 2030 Agenda through: (1) negotiating a resolution on Follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level; (2) reviewing global agenda outcomes under the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development; (3) following-up on Financing 102 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 for Development (FfD); (4) determining a global indicator framework for SDGs; (5) supporting implementation of the Agenda in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through negotiating a political declaration for the High-Level Mid-term Review according to the Istanbul Programme of Action for LDCs; and (6) strengthening cooperation among developing countries on the High-Level Meeting on South-South Cooperation. The Meeting also endorsed the nomination of the G77 Chairman for 2017 in which Ecuador will take up the position in January 2017 after Thailand fulfills its Chairmanship tenure. The G77 Ministerial Meeting is held annually at the United Nations in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. From Vision to Action 103

54 The 40 th Ministerial Meeting of G77, 23 September 2016, United Nations, New York. The Chairman of the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF) receives $ 520,000 from Thailand to the PGTF. The contribution is regarded timely at a moment where, as reported by the PGTF Chair, interesting earnings of the Fund have been substantially declining due to current world financial situation. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Chair of the 40 th Ministerial Meeting of G77 said: This year, we have together taken the first steps in translating vision into concrete action, in line with developing countries needs and interests and to realize the SDGs. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chair of the Fortieth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chair of the Fortieth Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 with H.E. Peter Thomson, Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations and PGA G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 105

55 STATEMENT BY H.E. GENERAL PRAYUT CHAN-O-CHA (RET.), PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND AND CHAIR OF THE FORTIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE GROUP OF 77 (New York, 23 September 2016) Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ministers, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, First of all, I wish to thank all G77 and China member countries for your valuable support during Thailand s chairmanship over the past 9 months, which has allowed us to forge ahead the Group s Agenda and interests as well as maintain the momentum of our success from the previous year, including the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This is the first year of implementation of these important Agendas. This year, we have together taken the first steps in translating vision into concrete action, in line with developing countries needs and interests and to realize the SDGs. Since the start of this year, the Group has played an active role in implementing the 2030 Agenda, for example, through (1) negotiating a resolution on Follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level; (2) reviewing global agenda outcomes under the High- Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development; (3) following-up on Financing for Development; (4) determining a global indicator framework for SDGs; (5) supporting implementation of the Agenda in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through negotiating a political declaration for the High-Level Mid-term Review according to the Istanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries; and (6) strengthening cooperation among developing countries on the High-Level Meeting on South-South Cooperation. The 2030 Agenda cuts across all pillars and we must achieve it within the next 14 years. In order to do so, we must focus on the following 3 areas; First is capital, one of the key resources vital to the achievement of our goals. I believe we have 4 main channels of mobilising financing for development, namely, international trade, investment, taxation and Official Development Assistance (ODA). We have to reform all 4 of these areas to ensure optimum management of and benefit from the available resources. In the past, we tended to disregard the negative effects on society from mobilizing such funds. Therefore, we need to undertake reform in order to create a new regime that is equitable, transparent, open, rules-based, able to distribute income to all sectors in society and that helps reduce inequality, which will lay a firm foundation to support sustainable development. The second resource vital for development is human resources. The 2030 Agenda stresses development that is balanced, sustainable and people-centered. Human beings are full of potential and the source of innovation and creativity. The challenge is how to tap that potential. My response would be to build human capacity through education and improving quality of life. We should also exchange lessons learnt or best practices through North-South, South-South or triangular cooperation, so that we could apply and adapt them to suit our respective national contexts. We also must promote and build the capacity of all sectors of society, especially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, women and youth, and migrants. We must address the obstacles that could diminish our peoples potential, which include non-traditional threats, such as epidemic disease, anti-microbial resistance, terrorism and violence. The Group calls for the international community to work together to address these challenges. The third resource is knowledge. Appropriate technology transfer and innovation can help developing countries leapfrog in the development process. However, due to certain limitations, we need to collaborate with other groups of countries, particularly in the area of agriculture, which is the main source of income for developing countries and is a source of food security and nutrition for the rest of the world. Though, with the sluggish price of agricultural products, we may consider cooperating with the G20 or other groups in order to support our farmers potential in inclusive agriculture and assist them with integration into the Global Value Chains (GVCs) as well as to benefit more as consumers. Another important cooperation is addressing the impacts of climate change, which could reverse our development efforts. The lack of transfer of technology and innovation could happen not only between the North and the South, but also among the South. Moreover, developing countries have invented and developed new cost-effective technologies and innovations suited to the context of development in their own countries. To achieve sustainable development in 2030, we need a collective push from all sectors. We have to build a global partnership for development. Thailand, as a Chair of the Group, is working as a bridge-builder among all actors that share the same goal in creating a better world, a world without poverty and our effort has started to bear fruits. Developed countries should assist countries of the G77, through both short-term assistance and capacity-building that will pave the way for a long-term outcome, bearing in mind the needs of the Group to create real inclusive and interconnected development. At the same time, we should not disregard the importance of policy space for a country to articulate its own policies which suit each country s context. However, we have to make sure that all our policies are consistent, whether it is trade, finance, fiscal or migration policy, therefore, these policies will support a sustainable and stable development process. This year is the first time that the Chair of the G77 was invited to participate in the G20 Summit recently held in Hangzhou, China, earlier this month. Our participation provided us with an opportunity to make our voice heard to various countries in all regions regarding our priorities or concerns that the international community has to overcome. It was also a chance for the G77 to discuss with other countries, on how to build a new path to attain sustainable development that leaves no one behind. To build a global partnership, we should start from cooperation between close friends, which are the G77 member countries. In this regard, we will have an opportunity to discuss fruitfully and intensively in Agenda 3 on alternative approaches that each country employs to achieve sustainable development. This is because we believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach for development. Therefore, members of the Group can exchange experiences on development. For Thailand, we will share our experience in the implementation of His Majesty the King s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as our guideline for development. The last point I would like to mention is that this year is an important transition year for the United Nations because we are in the process of selecting a new Secretary-General. I, as a representative of the Group, would like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for the important role he has played in pushing forward all of the global agendas, especially the SDGs. The Group of 77 stressed the importance and actively participates in the process of selecting the new Secretary-General. The Group supports for more participation in the process of developing countries to ensure a transparent process that genuinely reflects member states will. Lastly, I wish that the Meeting will adopt the G77 Ministerial Declaration, which reflects our success in the past year and also emphasizes the issues that are of our interest, especially for UNGA71 or Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador. I strongly believe that with our potential, solidarity and commitment, we will overcome all challenges and achieve our goals. Once again, I wish to thank all members of the Group of 77. Thank you. 106 G77 Thailand Chairmanship 2016 From Vision to Action 107