United Nations Secretary General Ant贸nio Guterres, left, observes as Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, right, hands over the chairmanship of the United Nations Group of 77 to Ecuador鈥檚 President Rafael Correa, center, Friday Jan. 13, 2017 at UN headquarters. AP
UNITED NATIONS 鈥� Ecuador has taken over from Thailand as chair of the Group of 77 which promotes the interests of the 134 developing countries it represents at the United Nations, including China.
Ecuador鈥檚 President Rafael Correa told Friday鈥檚 handover ceremony that the group will continue promoting 鈥渟ocial and economic equality.鈥�
He said this can only be done if 鈥減overty, inequality and exclusion鈥� are eradicated and people live with 鈥渟overeignty, dignity and in peace.鈥�
Thailand鈥檚 Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said his country focused in 2016 on how to implement the 17 UN goals for 2030 to promote development and good governance, and preserve the environment.
New Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the G-77 is his 鈥減referred forum鈥� to implement his vision including seeing the new goals become reality and reforming UN operations.