Comments by H.E. Mr. Javad Amin-Mansour Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative the Islamic Republic of Iran 2019 Handover Ceremony of G77 & China Geneva - 14 January, 2019   In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful   Excellences, Mr. Secretary General, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning and Happy New Year to everybody. At the outset, allow me to begin by wishing you peace, prosperity and happiness in the year 2019. I would like to express my appreciation to the outgoing chair, H.E. Mr. Farukh Amil, Ambassador of Pakistan for his tireless efforts during the chairmanship of the Group and congratulate and welcome you, H.E. Mr. Diego Aulestia Valencia, Ambassador of Ecuador as the new chair of G77 and China. Excellency, please rest assured that out full support will be with you. I agree with Mr. Kituyi that 2018 was a very challenging year in terms of trade, tech-transfer and policy space. Revitalization of the international organizations along with poverty, development, and environment, economic and social issues are in our agenda and deserve adequate attention, while keeping in mind Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In this line, I have to stress on the need for developing countries to analyze and formulate common positions in the framework of G77 and China with regard to development, environment as well as economic issues. Not to mention the importance of consideration of the developments in digital industry, e-commerce, collection and distribution of data and information and their protection in our negotiations. I cannot fail to highlight the need to react appropriately and adequately to the unilateral coercive policies and measures and the other threats to multilateralism, which are among our serious challenges at present and in the future. Once again, I would like to emphasize the significance of close relationship between UNCTAD and G77 and also between the G77 offices in New York and Geneva in the New Year. We, as in the past, count on the contributions of the South Center, as our think tank, to our joint endeavors to have clearer and more reasonable views with regard to our common challenges.   I thank you,