H.E. SUON Prasith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations (Economy and Trade) in Geneva, in his capacity as the outgoing Chair of the Group of 77 and China (Geneva Chapter), has officially handed over the chairmanship to Mr. Cristóbal MELGAR PAZOS, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Peru, for the 2025 mandate.
The official handover ceremony, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland on Jan. 28, was also attended by Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD, representing Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, along with members of the Group of 77 and China.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the Group of 77 and China is the largest negotiating group within the United Nations system, currently comprising 134 member countries. The Cambodian delegation assumed the duties of Vice-Chair of the Group of 77 and China (Geneva Chapter) on Nov. 23, 2022 and took over the chairmanship on Jan. 30, 2024. During its tenure, the Cambodian delegation represented the Group in approximately 95 meetings and negotiations, including facilitating the Group’s inputs into discussions at the United Nations in New York.
Additionally, it led discussions and established three working groups: the Working Group on Digital Economy and Digitalisation for Development, the Working Group on Financing for Development, and the Working Group on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainable Development.
Moreover, the Cambodian delegation successfully coordinated the 60th anniversary of the Group’s establishment on Sept. 13, 2024, organising high-level dialogues, adopting a joint ambassadorial statement, and issuing a press release. In preparation for the UNCTAD XVI Ministerial Conference scheduled for October 2025, Cambodia also led and coordinated internal discussions and negotiations to establish a common position for participation in the conference negotiations.
On this occasion, the Deputy Secretary-General expressed his appreciation and recognition of the Cambodian delegation for its visionary leadership and commitment. He also reaffirmed his support for the Group in the upcoming Ministerial Conference negotiations and its dedication to upholding multilateralism for trade and development.
In addition to the commitment of the incoming Chair from the Peruvian delegation, coordinators from various regional groups—including the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Asia-Pacific Group (APG), the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), the Arab Group, and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS)—as well as many other member states, participated in the event. They delivered remarks praising and highly appreciating the Cambodian delegation’s leadership of the Group of 77 and China. Despite Cambodia’s status as a least-developed country, it successfully led the Group to many remarkable achievements and outcomes during its term.
