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Left to right: His Excellency Asitha Perera, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, incoming Chairperson of G-77 & China -Rome Chapter-; Ms. Fernanda Guerrieri, Directeur de Cabinet, Office of the Director General of FAO; and Her Excellency Gladys Urbaneja Durán, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, outgoing Chairperson of G-77 & China -Rome Chapter-.

The Group of 77 and China of the Rome Chapter held its first plenary meeting of the year, with the purpose of carrying out the Handover of its Chairmanship. The meeting was attended by Member States of the G-77 and China accredited to the 3 Rome-based United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. The Directeur – de – Cabinet of the Director General of FAO, Ms Fernanda Guerrieri, was also present at the handover plenary.

At the end of her tenure, Her Excellency Gladys Urbaneja Durán, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Chairperson of the G-77 & China during 2012, presented a detailed report of the main accomplishment of the Group in the past year, - including successful negotiations processes in challenging contexts -, and thanked Members for their unconditional support received during her mandate.

Afterwards, H.E Urbaneja Durán handed over the Chairmanship to H.E Ambassador John Asitha Perera, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who will be at the helm of the Group during 2013.

H.E John Asitha Perera expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka, to Asia Group Members and all G-77 and China Members for the trust and confidence placed in proposing Sri Lanka and himself to lead the Group. During his initial speech, he underlined that the Group’s unity lies in its strength and invited Members to work tirelessly in unison, to support their common aspirations, interests, goals and help realize the dream of the great countries they represent. (Please click here for his full speech)

Members of the Group expressed their strong appreciation to H.E. Urbaneja Durán for her excellent steering of the Group during 2012 and recognized the important achievements in different fields for the benefit of G-77 and China countries, under her outstanding leadership. Members also welcomed the incoming Chairperson, H.E John Asitha Perera, expressing their full support, and reaffirming their willingness to cooperate with the Chairmanship in the future challenges, during his tenure.