The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela received the presidency of the G77 + China Group on Wednesday, January 18, at the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) based in Rome.
At the inauguration ceremony, the Director-General for FAO Programs, Daniel Gustafson, expressed his appreciation to Venezuela for assuming responsibility for a group characterized by the solidarity of its members and the joint work with FAO.
The Venezuelan Ambassador to FAO, Elías Eljuri, stressed that Venezuela will remain committed to the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, since 793 million people are still at a disadvantage with regard to the amount of food energy worldwide. He also reaffirmed that Venezuela remains committed to the common challenges to the global South.
Eljuri recalled the validity and pertinence of President Hugo Chávez Frías’ speech on the occasion of the presidency of the G77 + China in 2002, stating the following: «There is speaking about Peace, and there are attacks against innocent peoples. Development is spoken of. and millions are plunged into misery. I think it is time to speak without fear of the truths of the world, the pains of the world, the wounds of the world, to seek their healing, which is what I am sure we all want. »
He also recalled the potential that has the G77 + China, concentrating Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean in a single space, representing more than 70% of the world population and 72% of the population in Age of work.
The official ceremony culminated in the exchange of certificates and the delivery of the plaque by the Venezuelan ambassador to the outgoing President of the G77 + China, the Representative of Bangladesh, Mr. Mafizur Rahmad.
The G77 + China is a group made of 134 developing countries that reaffirm their common purposes for the unity, solidarity, equity and self-determination of peoples.
At the moment Venezuela also holds the presidency of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM), which consolidates it and places it in a leading position in the international sphere.
