Philippines takes G-77 and China chairmanship in Vienna

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino diplomat recently assumed chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China (G-77)  in Vienna, Austria, taking over from Sri Lanka.

Philippine Ambassador to Austria Lourdes Yparraguirre, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Vienna, took office on July 16, affirming the country's commitment to the ideals of the G-77 on its 50th anniversary this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Yparraguirre expressed her great sense of responsibility and humility in accepting the position as chairman of the chapter.

Fellow ambassadors relayed their confidence to Yparraguirre as new leader in a meeting.

The Philippines first assumed chairmanship in 1978 and again in 2002 before.

G-77 was established on June 15, 1967 by 77 developing countries during the first session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development or UNCTAD in Geneva. While loose coalition now sees membership of 132 countries, it retains its original name.

Yparraguirre acknowledged G-77 and China as an "important actor in the pursuit of world order that is just, equitable, peaceful and stable."

She noted that the group represents over half of the world's population and more than two-thirds of the entire UN member states.

The DFA said Yparraguirre will lead the group in advancing its interests within the framework of UN and various international organizations in Vienna.

This includes the UN Industrial Development Organization or UNIDO, International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC.