STATEMENT BY CHERRYL GORDON, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, IN THE COMMITTEE FOR THE REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION (CRIC.4) AT THE 7TH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD) ON AGENDA ITEM 12: RELATIONSHIP WITH GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) (Nairobi, Kenya, 19 October 2005)

Mr. Chairman.

The Group of 77 and China are glad that the GEF is now a financial mechanism for the Convention.

The G77 and China endorse, in general, the views expressed by previous speakers who are members of the G77 and China. In particular, we reiterate our request for the GEF and its implementing agencies to work with the countries concerned to build capacity to facilitate ease of access to GEF funding and avoid conditionalities involved in accessing these funds.

We also look forward to undertaking out first proper examination of the draft MoU, which we hope will be concluded between the COP and the GEF Council representing the respective constituents of the two entities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.