GROUP OF 77
GENEVA

STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY MRS. MARTHA LUNGU MWITUMWA, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA CHAIRPERSON OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, AT THE SIXTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD, ON AGENDA ITEM 17 (A): REPORT BY THE CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY BODY SET UP IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 166 OF THE BANGKOK PLAN OF ACTION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COURSES BY THE SECRETARIAT IN 2019-2020 AND THEIR RELEVANT IMPACT; AND THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BODY
(Geneva, 9 September 2020)

President of the Trade and Development Board Ambassador Federico Villegas,
Ambassador Michael Gaffey, Permanent Representative of Ireland,
Director of the Division of Technology and Logistics, Mrs. Shamika Sirimanne,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Ambassador Michael Gaffey for his statement and his work as Chair of the Advisory Body set up in accordance with paragraph 166 of the Bangkok Plan of Action.

2. The Regional Courses on Key Issues on the International Economic Agenda, also known as Paragraph 166 courses, continue to deliver excellent training to policy makers across the developing world and economies in transition.

Mr. President,

3. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its gratitude to Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Serbia and Singapore for hosting and contributing to the success of regional P166 courses in their respective regions, while also welcoming North Macedonia as the future host for the regional course for countries with economies in transition (Eastern Europe). At the same time, the Group looks forward to the outcome of the proposals for venues to host future editions of the P166 courses in the Asia Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean regions. We must also commend the Secretariat for their hard work in organizing and delivering the regional courses as well as the short courses.

4. The creation of the Inter-regional platform within the existing structure of P166 courses constitutes a valuable opportunity to share cross regional perspectives and experiences on comparative development trajectories, while facilitating global exposure to the policymakers trained.

5. The Group of 77 and China looks forward to the continuation of the successes of P166 courses into the coming years.

I thank you, Mr. President.