Sri Lanka accepts G - 15 Chairmanship

Sri Lanka has accepted the Chairmanship of the Group of Fifteen (G-15), a coalition of 18 developing countries established to develop mutually beneficial cooperation among developing countries, especially in the areas of investment, trade and technology.

As the Chair of the G15, Sri Lanka will continue to strengthen this forum of developing countries, both as a vehicle for South-South cooperation as well as to become as envisaged a logical dialogue partner of the G8 to promote and address the concerns and challenges of the South in their development goals.

As a founder Member of the G15 initially established at a Summit Level Group of Developing Countries in September 1989, following the conclusion of the Ninth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting in Belgrade, Sri Lanka has been active in the work of the Group at all levels. The current Members of the G15 are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Apart from the objective of voicing the concerns of its Members in the global arena, the G15 was also mandated to take up projects which could bring direct benefits to the peoples of the member States.

It is envisaged that the G-15 will both serve as a forum for regular consultations among developing countries with a view to coordinating policies and action of South countries at the global level, and assist in the formulation and implementation of programs of cooperation.